Abstract: A servo driven peach pitter mechanism with a servo motor (100) for a gripper mechanism head assembly (60) and a servo motor (118) for a selective knife (56), to achieve unlimited control flexibility in rotation of gripper mechanisms (62) and selective knife (56). Servo motor (100) controls rotation of a tubular housing (69) of the head assembly (60), which in turn rotates the gripper mechanism (62). Servo motor (118) includes a 90 degree gear box (114) which connects with a spindle (112) that carries the selective knife (56).

Abstract: An apparatus for ultrasonically examining a weld in a nuclear steam supply system includes an elongated guide rod for positioning within a pipe of the nuclear steam supply system. An ultrasonic transducer is positioned at an end of the elongated guide rod. A collapsible shoe encloses the ultrasonic transducer. The collapsible shoe includes a biasing mechanism to allow the collapsible shoe to pass through the pipe while the pipe is at a first circumference and while the pipe is at a second circumference. The collapsible shoe continuously contacts the pipe to establish ultrasonic coupling for the ultrasonic transducer.

Abstract: Packaging for a plurality of juxtaposed bottles with the bottles being of a type having a base, a body adjoining the base, the body having a shoulder and an upstanding neck adjoining the shoulder and a label adhered to the body of the bottle below the shoulder and above the base. The packaging comprises a case in the form of a parallelepiped having spaced parallel side walls and spaced parallel end walls adjoining the side walls at right angles thereto and spaced-apart top and bottom closures adjoining the side and end walls at right angles thereto. A bottom insert is disposed in the bottom of the case and has a plurality of spaced-apart wells therein for receiving the bases of the plurality of juxtaposed bottles for retaining the bases of the juxtaposed bottles in spaced-apart positions.

Abstract: Optical switching of light is effected between an input and an output utilizing a low-bandwidth actuator and a hi-bandwidth actuator.

Abstract: A biosensor, sensor array, sensing method and sensing apparatus are provided in which individual cells or randomly mixed populations of cells, having unique response characteristics to chemical and biological materials, are deployed in a plurality of microwells formed at the distal end of individual fibers within a fiber optic array. The biosensor array utilizes an optically interrogatable encoding scheme for determining the identity and location of each cell type in the array and provides for simultaneous measurements of large numbers of individual cell responses to target analytes. The sensing method utilizes the unique ability of cell populations to respond to biologically significant compounds in a characteristic and detectable manner. The biosensor array and measurement method may be employed in the study of biologically active materials, in situ environmental monitoring, monitoring of a variety of bioprocesses, and for high throughput screening of large combinatorial chemical libraries.

Abstract: A cellular private branch exchange for facilitating cellular communication for a first plurality of mobile station units, which includes a first base station subsystem for communicating with a first and a second mobile station unit of the first plurality of mobile station units on respectively a first and a second cellular bearer data channel. The cellular private branch exchange further includes a cellular private branch exchange unit coupled to the first base station subsystem. In turn, the cellular private branch exchange unit includes a private mobile-services switching center for providing mobility management for the first plurality of mobile station units, the private mobile-services switching center representing a first cross-connect node capable of cross-connecting the first bearer data channel with the second bearer data channel for calls between the first and the second mobile station units.

Abstract: A bandsaw (21) and bandsaw controller (39) adapted for control f at least one of the feed rate, cutting force and cutting speed of a bandsaw blade (24) as the blade cuts a workpiece (26). The controller includes an input device (61) adapted to provide signals to the cutting rate control assembly including a cutting rate signal, a break-in mode signal and a break-through mode signal. The cutting rate control assembly is responsive to the break-in mode signal to begin cutting of workpiece (26) at a break-in cutting rate below the desired cutting rate and to increase the break-in cutting rate automatically, as a function of time until the desired cutting rate is achieved. The cutting rate control assembly is further responsive to the break-through mode signal to reduce the saw cutting rate just before the saw blade (24) exits from the workpiece (26). A method of operation of the bandsaw (21) to effect saw blade break-in and prevent detrimental saw blade break-through also is provided.

Abstract: Hydraulic drilling apparatus and method in which a hole is formed with a series of drill heads and strings of successively smaller diameter. After each section of the hole is formed, the drill head is withdrawn back through the string, leaving the string in place in the hole to serve as a casing for the well. The next smaller size drill head and string are then introduced through the strings which have already been placed, and the process is repeated until the hole has reached the desired length. The course of the hole can be changed, e.g. from vertical to horizontal, without interruption of the drilling process by selective application of the drilling fluid to the nozzles in the drill head to steer the advancing string. Multiple laterals are formed by introducing a module having a plurality of extensible drilling tubes with drill heads at the distal ends thereof into the string and applying the pressurized drilling fluid to the module to advance the tubes from the string.

Abstract: A chemical vapor deposition (CVD) system is provided for processing a substrate 110. The system 100 includes a heated muffle 115, a chamber 120 having an injector assembly 130 for introducing chemical vapor to process the substrate 110, and a belt 105 for moving the substrate through the muffle and chamber. The belt 105 has an oxidation-resistant coating 175 to reduce formation of deposits thereon. The coating 175 is particularly useful for resisting formation of chromium oxides on belts made from a chromium-containing alloy. In one embodiment, the oxidation-resistant coating 175 comprises a securely-adhered oxide layer 185 that is substantially free of transition metals. Preferably, the oxidation-resistant coating 175 comprises aluminum oxide. More preferably, the coating 175 comprises an aluminum oxide layer 185 securely adhered over a nickel aluminide layer 180.

Abstract: In a scanning electron beam CT system, a positive ion clearing electrode system is disposed within the CT system solenoid coil, and is operated from a single power source. Mounted coaxially about the electron beam, preferably the electrode system includes three sections, each having two electrode elements, one element being coupled to about −800 V to about −2 kV and the other element being grounded. Within the electrode system, the ratio between element diameter and electron beam diameter is substantially constant. Preferably elements are helically twisted about the beam axis. The electrode configuration cancels net quadrupole (focusing) and octopole (aberration-producing) fields. In the presence of electric discharge, essentially zero electron beam displacement and deflections occurs, and changes in focusing strength remain zero.

Abstract: A dual pump for independently pumping two fluids includes a pump body having a first concave depression on a first side of the body. A first inlet port and a first outlet port are contained within the body, in fluid communication with the first depression. A second concave depression is on a second side of the body opposite the first depression. A second inlet port and a second outlet port are contained within the body in fluid communication with the second depression. A first diaphragm is coupled to the first side of the body and encloses the first depression to form a first inner chamber. A second diaphragm is coupled to the second side of the body and encloses the second depression to form a second inner chamber. A shell encloses the body on its first and second sides. The shell defines a first outer chamber with the first diaphragm in pressure communication with the first inner chamber.

Abstract: A medical probe device of this invention comprising a catheter having a control end and a probe end. The probe end includes a stylet guide housing having at least one stylet port and stylet guide means for directing a flexible stylet outward through at least one stylet port and through intervening tissue to targeted tissues. A stylet is positioned in at least one of said stylet guide means, the stylet comprising a non-conductive sleeve having a RF electrode lumen and an optional a fluid supply lumen and a temperature sensor lumen therein. At least one portion of an opposed surface of the electrode lumen and the electrode can be spaced apart to define a liquid supply passageway for delivery of medicament liquid.

Abstract: For use with a power converter, a bias voltage generator samples a fraction of the input voltage Vin using a bias switch coupled to a tap on the power converter transformer input winding. The bias switch is driven from the same control circuit that drives the converter switch, and the fraction of Vin sampled by the bias switch is coupled to a low pass filter to generate the bias voltage Vbias. Vbias≈(Vin)·(Kf)·(Kdc), where Kf is the fractional location of the transformer tap, and Kdc is duty cycle of the power converter switch. Vbias enjoys automatic compensation against variation in Vin because the power converter will automatically compensate Kdc to correct for Vin variation. The resultant bias voltage generator requires no additional transformer winding.

Abstract: Methods for detecting the status of an insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM)-associated autoimmune response in a mammal are provided. Specifically, the ratio of the frequency of T helper 1 cells to T helper 2 cells specific for a pancreatic &bgr;-cell associated antigen is indicative of the status of the autoimmune response. The methods may be employed prior to the onset of the clinical symptoms of the disease, thereby allowing identification of those at risk for developing clinical symptoms of IDDM, or subsequent to pancreatic tissue transplantation, for example, to measure the efficacy of treatment directed to enhancing the lifetime of the tissue transplant. Methods for prolonging the survival of tissue transplants are also provided. Specifically, a tissue-associated antigen is administered to the mammal which serves to shift the pathogenic Th1 response associated with pathological immunity toward a protective Th2 response.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods of ocular gene therapy.

Abstract: A printing press (10) including a pallet arm assembly (20) having a first arm extension (26) and a second arm extension (28) and an adjustable coupling (30) therebetween. Adjustment of coupling (30) adjusts the lateral and vertical position of a pallet table (22) carried by the pallet arm assembly. The printing press (10) also includes an angularly adjustable press arm bracket mount (60) that is mounted on a rotatable wheel (16) that carries multiple press arm assemblies (18). Adjustment of the angular position of bracket (60) assists in lowering press arm assembly (18) into a yoke gate (36) mounted on pallet arm assembly (20). Press arm assemblies (18) also include over-center spring mechanisms (90) that place a coil spring in compression rather than tension and include an enclosure (104) for capturing the coil spring for increased safety.

Abstract: A radiation-damage resistant radiation detector with preferably three dimensional collection electrodes may be formed on a substrate that is a semiconductor or an insulator, and may be operated in avalanche mode to increase detection output. A detector comprising interleaved n-type and p-type preferably three dimensional electrodes formed in an area whose perimeter is an active trench. The trench is doped with dopant of opposite type polarity to that of the nearest electrodes, with respect to which the trench is reverse biased. The trench itself can act as a detector element, and the overall device exhibits edge-to-edge active detection. A plurality of such detectors may be arrayed in a plane to provide an essentially seamless large area detector suitable for medical and research applications, including synchrotron studies.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods of treating injuries to or diseases of the central nervous system which methods involve increasing the active concentration(s) of transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-&bgr;1) and/or analogues thereof in the central nervous system of the patient. The present invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising TGF-&bgr;1 and/or analogues thereof for administration to a patient prior to, simultaneous with, or following a neural insult, which compositions are useful in minimizing damage to the central nervous system that would otherwise occur following the insult.

Abstract: Dental sensors receive X-rays and transmit signals showing the condition of a patients's teeth to a computer or other recorder, thereby replacing X-ray film packets. Such sensors vary in dimensions. Holders are provided which accommodate such variations. Thus, a clasp engaging one edge of a sensor is adjustably movable to cause a fixed portion of the holder to engage the opposite edge of the sensor. Interfitting ratchet teeth on clasp and holder retain the parts in the required position. The holder assists in properly and rapidly locating the sensor relative to the teeth being examined. For certain usages a bite block holds the patient's jaws apart. The sides of the bite blocks are non-parallel, thereby reducing the shadows of such sides on the X-ray usage.