Abstract: The present invention provides a system for controlling one or more operating unites in an inductive power transfer (IPT) system. Each operating unit includes a pick-up coil that takes power from a primary conductor or track over an air gap. The operating unit is controlled by frequency modulating the primary conductor power supply to send a control instruction which is decoded by the operating unit. The instruction is decoded by generating a signal using a local oscillator in the operating unit and using the signal to detect changes in the frequency of the current in the primary conductor. Such a system can be used, for example, to control inductively powered road-studs that include a light source for controlling traffic on a roadway. A narrow band modulated data transmission system and method for controlling an operating unit are also provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to a continuous casting installation, for example for steel billet and bloom formats having substantially rectangular or circular cross-section. The invention improves the strand structure in the corner areas, to avoid rhomboidity, cracks and dimensional imperfections of the strand cross-section while achieving a high throughput capacity per strand and reducing investment and running costs. The fillets of the groove curvatures in the die cavity amount to a proportion of the length of the side of the strand cross-section. The degree of curvature 1/R of the groove curvatures decreases in the direction of the strand at least along at least partial length of the entire casting die, thereby achieving gap elimination between the casting shell and the casting die wall and/or a targeted casting shell shaping in the area of the groove curvature.

Abstract: A small cylindrical reformer according to the embodiments of the present invention are suitable for use in the production of hydrogen from fossil fuels for a small fuel cell power plant. In the small cylindrical reformer, a reforming reactor, a water gas shift reactor (high temperature or low temperature), a combustor, a heat exchanger, a steam generator, etc., may be integrated in a single container to form an optimal heat exchanging network, minimize heat loss and optimize heat exchange efficiency. Thereby, the reformer is designed to be easily processed and manufactured and to have a compact size, thus realizing high efficiency, light weight and ease of mass production.

Abstract: An ion conductor has fine particles of an organic polymer including 20 to 80% by mass of ultra-fine particles of an inorganic compound, and an electrolytic solution impregnated into the fine particles of the organic polymer, wherein the fine particles of the organic polymer have a specific surface area measured by the BET method of 30 m2/g or more.

Abstract: A telescoping catheter is adapted to provide improved support and protection for a drive cable by providing, in addition to an outer sheath and a telescoping sheath, an inner sheath surrounding the drive cable. The outer sheath has a relatively larger diameter, to allow for a flared end of the telescoping sheath to pass freely within the outer sheath. The inner sheath protects and supports the drive cable when the telescoping catheter is extended and the drive cable would otherwise only be protected and supported by the outer sheath having a diameter too large to provide the desired amount of support and protection for the drive cable.

Abstract: A self-ballasted fluorescent lamp includes a luminous tube that is formed in a bent shape with a pair of electrode-side end portions located at a the bottom end of the luminous tube. A cover houses a lighting device for lighting the luminous tube. A base is attached to the bottom end of the cover, and the luminous tube is supported at the top end, of the lamp. The outer diameter of a bulb of the luminous tube 14 ranges from 3 to 8 mm, and the maximum width of the luminous tube, is not greater than 30 mm. The cover is formed so that the proportion of the distance by which the cover extends from the base to the lamp length excluding the base ranges from 0 to 25%, and so that the maximum outer diameter of the cover ranges from 1.0 to 1.5 times the outer diameter of the base.

Abstract: A method of making a carbon nanotube structure includes forming a plurality of carbon nanotubes and contacting the carbon nanotubes with a polymer. A solid composition is formed from the carbon nanotubes and polymer and then shaped. For example, the solid composition can be shaped into an elongated structure such as a filament, wire, rope, cable, and the like. In at least some instances, at least some, or all, of the polymer is removed from the solid composition after it is shaped.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method for processing requests for location, which comprises: A target UE sending a request for location to the Location Service (LCS) system and asking the LCS system to provide a requestor with the location information of the target UE; the LCS system positioning the target UE, acquiring the location estimate of the target UE, and deciding whether it is needed to hide the real identity of the target UE, and if yes, the LCS system sending the pseudonym and location information of the target UE to the requestor; otherwise, the LCS system sending the real identity and location information of the target UE to the requestor. The invention makes it possible for the LCS system to decide whether to hide the real identity of the target UE according to the user's requirement, improving the flexibility of the location service. As the LCS system is able to hide the real identity of the target UE, the security of using the location service is enhanced.

Abstract: Disclosed is an optical sensing device, which comprises a light source emitting a light; a beam splitter; an SPR sensor unit comprising a sensing surface; and a detecting mechanism; and a converting unit converting the first beam and the second beam from the optical device into a two-dimensional interference fringe pattern. From the above-mentioned configuration, an extra phase shift of a detection beam in SPR phase measurement is obtained. The differential measurement approach has shown to achieve a sensitivity figure significantly better than the best result that can be obtained from the prior art in the field of the measurement based on an SPR sensor.

Abstract: A MoSi2—Si3N4 composite coating which is coated on a surface of base materials. The MoSi2—Si3N4 composite coating on the surface of the base material can be formed by forming a Mo2N diffusion layer by vapor-depositing of nitrogen on the surface of the base material and forming a MoSi2—Si3N4 composite coating by vapor-depositing of silicon on the surface of the Mo2N diffusion layer, or the MoSi2—Si3N4 composite coating on the surface of the base material can be formed by forming a MoSi2 diffusion layer by vapor-depositing of silicon on a surface of a base material by the CVD method, transforming the MoSi2 diffusion layer into a Mo5Si3 diffusion layer by heating under a high-purity hydrogen or argon atmosphere, forming a MoSi2—Si3N4 composite diffusion layer by vapor-depositing of nitrogen on the surface of the MosSi3 diffusion layer by the CVD method and forming a MoSi2—Si3N4 composite coating by vapor-depositing of silicon on the surface of the MoSi2—Si3N4 composite diffusion layer.

Abstract: A conveyor idler support frame (10) for rotatably mounting a conveyor idler (12, 14, 16, 20, 22) is provided. The frame is displaceable between an operation position and an idler removal position. In the operation position, the frame places a mounted idler in operational engagement with a conveyor belt (18). In the idler removal position, the frame brings the mounted idler out of engagement with the conveyor belt to allow the idler to be removed from the frame.

Abstract: The conventional dielectric measurement method utilizes an interaction between a uniform electric field and a dipole moment, and hence a motion of nonpolar molecules without the dipole moments cannot be detected. It is an object of the present invention to provide a method for electrically detecting the motion of the nonpolar molecule. According to the present invention, the motion of the nonpolar molecule is detected electrically by utilizing a nonuniform electric field in dielectric measurement. As a specific measurement method, comb-shaped electrodes or electrodes with irregularities on their surfaces are employed in the dielectric measurement in place of conventional parallel flat-plate electrodes. By utilizing the interaction between the nonuniform electric field generated by these electrodes and a quadrupole moment or a high-order electric moment, it has become possible to electrically detect the motion of the nonpolar molecule.

Abstract: A filled-core optical fiber (100) spliced to conventional, solid core optical transmission fiber (175) and a related method of making the same are provided. The optical fiber (100) comprises a core region (140), a cladding ring (120) enclosing the core region (120), and an outer cladding layer (160). A fill hole (115) is formed in the optical fiber (100) which extends from an outer sidewall (110) to the core region (140). The fill hole (115) is for introducing optical material (165) into the core region (140). The optical material (165) is introduced into the core region (140) after opposing ends (121, 122) of the optical fiber (100) are spliced to the free ends (176, 176) of conventional, solid core optical transmission fiber (175). The optical material (165) is introduced into core region (140) after splicing to avoid damage to the optical material (165) due to exposure to high temperatures generated during splicing.

Abstract: A method and a system for optimizing bandwidth utilization in a communications network (100) in which a commutated bitstream (115) is transmitted. The present invention can include a commutation format definition generator (405) which processes at least one triage value (425) to automatically generate commutation format definitions (155). The triage values can represent priority levels of data elements (420) in particular system states (430) and can be used to determine data transmission rates applicable to the data elements. The system can include a data source (105) which can process the commutation format definitions to generate the commutated bitstream. The data source can select a new commutation format definition to change the format of the commutated bitstream when the system state of the data source changes and optimize the commutated bitstream for the current system state and the current available network bandwidth.

Abstract: Cytokines and their receptors have proven usefulness in both basic research and as therapeutics. The present invention provides a new human cytokine receptor designated as “Zcytor16.

Abstract: An automatic pullback catheter system (2) includes a disposable catheter assembly (6) mountable to a drive assembly (4). The drive assembly includes a body (8) to which a drive. chassis (14) is mounted for movement along a longitudinal path (16) by a motor (20) which rotates a longitudinal drive screw (22) selectively coupled to the drive chassis by a threaded clamp (24). A rotary drive motor (30), mounted to the drive chassis, rotates a first combined connector (34). The catheter assembly includes a hollow sheath (38) housing a rotatable and axially movable cable assembly (44). The sheath includes a proximal hub (42) mountable to the body. The cable assembly includes an elongate imaging cable (46) with a second combined connector (36) at its proximal end. The first and second combined connectors are blind matable connectors and provide for the longitudinal movement coupling, the rotary movement coupling and the data/information connection of the two connectors.

Abstract: An imaging device such as a catheter has a plurality of infusion holes adapted to infuse liquid into the blood stream while substantially preventing radial jetting. An example imaging catheter includes an elongated member, having distal and proximal ends, an axis, a lumen along the axis, and an outer surface. Preferably, a plurality of infusion holes are defined along the axis of said elongated member between the lumen and the outer surface. The plurality of infusion holes may be tapered from the outer surface to the lumen. Further, the plurality of infusion holes may be angled outwardly toward the proximal end of the elongated member. The size, shape, spacing and configuration of the infusion holes may be varied as desired.

Abstract: Novel mammalian zcyto7 polypeptides, polynucleotides encoding the polypeptides, and related compositions and methods including antibodies and anti-idiotypic antibodies.

Abstract: Methods of treating osteoarthritis include applying at least one stimulus to a stimulation site within a patient with an implanted system control unit in accordance with one or more stimulation parameters. Systems for treating osteoarthritis include a system control unit configured to apply at least one stimulus to a stimulation site within a patient in accordance with one or more stimulation parameters.