Abstract: A biocompatible connective tissue repair composition which comprises a therapeutic material and a carrier comprising a means for achieving reverse phase characteristics, and methods for using said composition. The therapeutic material can be demineralized bone powder, and the carrier can be a poloxamer such as poloxamer 407.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine with a mechanically driven charge-air compressor, which is connected to the engine intake manifold by way of an intercooler, is disclosed. The characteristic feature of the engine is that the compressor, the intercooler and the intake manifold have a common, integrally cast housing part.

Abstract: An extended range proportional valve which can control rates of mass flow over continuous low, intermediate and high ranges has a pilot member mounted on an armature of a solenoid which can be dithered onto and off of a pilot opening in a main valve member which seals a main valve opening to control mass flow rates over the low range by varying the duty cycle and/or frequency of a pulse width modulated current in the solenoid coil. Intermediate and high flow rates are achieved by dithering the pilot valve member with a duty cycle and/or frequency sufficient to raise the main valve member relatively short and relatively long respective distances from the main valve seat.

Abstract: A swim fin (10) having a foot-pocket formation (12) and a fin blade (14). The foot-pocket formation (12) defines a foot-receiving cavity in which a foot can be received. The fin blade (14) comprises a frontal blade portion (30) and a pair of side blade portions (32.1 and 32.2). The frontal blade portion extends longitudinally from a toe end of the foot-pocket formation and has a predetermined length and is spaced a predetermined height above an underside of the foot-pocket formation, which permits a wearer to walk unimpeded while wearing the swim fin. Each side blade portion includes a fixed blade section (36) and a flap formation (38) that is hingedly displaceable relative to the fixed blade section so as to change an edge profile of the fin blade, in use, for increasing the surface area of the fin blade during a propulsion stroke and decreasing the surface area thereof during a return stroke.

Abstract: A brake arrangement for a machine that includes a locking element adapted to engage with an output shaft from a gearbox. The gearbox comprising at least two gearwheels utilized to obtain different gears. A gear clutch is provided for each gearwheel and is adapted to engage and disengage a respective gearwheel depending on the operating conditions of the machine. A control unit is arranged to control the gear clutches so that the gear clutches simultaneously engage at least two of the gearwheels thus to braking the output shaft. The control unit is adapted to control the locking element so that the locking element engages with the output shaft when the output shaft is at a standstill thereby causing the output shaft to be prevented from rotating when the locking element engages with the output shaft.

Abstract: A drive unit for an alternator of a motor vehicle is provided with a driven pulley, which rotates around its own axis, and with a unit for connection of the pulley to a rotary drive shaft for the alternator; the drive unit is also provided with a revolution-multiplier device and a torque-limiter device, which are disposed in series with one another and constitute part of the unit for connection of the pulley to the shaft of the alternator.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and arrangement for cleaning filters in different types of liquid containers. The arrangement includes a pump (4) provided with a suction conduit (5) and which pump is connected to a filter (7) and an outlet conduit (3), whereby the components are placed in a sealed liquid container (1), and that the pump (4) can be reversed when a predetermined condition is fulfilled, whereby pollutants from said filter (7) is pumped to a collection unit (17) connected to said suction conduit (5).

Abstract: An internal combustion engine and a method for operating the multi-stroke combustion engine is disclosed. The engine is provided with individual variably controlled inlet and outlet valves in each cylinder. Operation of the engine involves controlling the inlet and outlet valves so that the opening and closing of the valves are adapted to a second stroke mode that is different from a first stroke mode in which the engine is presently running. Fuel injected into the cylinders is controlled so that it is injected prior to an expansion stroke. The transition from the first stroke mode to the second stroke mode occurs independent of the operating condition of the engine throughout the entire operating range of the engine.

Abstract: Disclosed are nucleic acid segments comprising synthetically-modified genes encoding modified Coleopteran-toxic B. thuringiensis Cry 3Bb* &dgr;-endotoxins. Also disclosed are methods of using these genes for preparing a Coleopteran-resistant transgenic plant and reducing insect in restations, and plants thereby produced.

Abstract: An insert is provided for testing a chip-scale-packaged microelectronic device having an encapsulant-protrusion and a ball-grid-array of outwardly-projecting contacts. The insert comprises a substrate of mono-crystalline silicon. Walls of the substrate define a plurality of pockets that are configured to receive and contact the outwardly-projecting contacts of the microelectronic device. Additional walls of the substrate define a recess disposed amongst the plurality of pockets. The recess has a width greater than the widths of any of the pockets. Additionally, the recess comprises a perimeter greater than that of the encapsulant-protrusion of the chip-scale-packaged microelectronic device, and a depth operative to clear the encapsulant-protrusion when the chip-scale package is seated upon the insert.

Abstract: A heterologous polypeptide is expressed under the control of a DNA construct containing a promoter region derived from a cyanophage or cyanobacteria promoter. In one embodiment, such a promoter region is operably linked to an operator region derived from an operator native to the host cell. In another embodiment, the operator region is positioned upstream of the promoter region.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of creating, purchasing and selling the real estate brokerage commissions typically collected upon the sale of real property. A property owner sells, for a certain consideration, the assignable option to be the owner's broker when the owner decides to resell the property. The compensation paid may be in the form of cash or an equivalent incentive. The option has an expected return associated with it that will vary depending upon a number of factors including, but not limited to, the value of the property and the predicted amount of brokerage commission to be earned upon resale of the property. The option can be sold through securitization or some other method. The option can also become a traded commodity and form the basis for a real estate options and futures market.

Abstract: A disease treatment is provided by controlling the expression of a protein induced by a heat shock factor. The novel compound benzo-1,3-dioxole provides an inhibitor of HSF activity or an inhibitor of inducing the production of a protein regulated by HSF, which inhibits the activity of a heat shock factor, a transcriptional regulatory factor, thereby in turn inhibiting transcription of a structural gene having a heat shock element sequence in the gene region for transcriptional regulation into RNA, and thus inhibiting translation of the gene into a protein, and resulting in inhibition of inducing production of RNA or protein encoded by the gene. It also provides a drug for treating or preventing cancer through thermotherapy and a drug for treating or preventing stress diseases such as depression.

Abstract: The invention is a process to recover a high pressure hydrogen rich gas stream from synthesis gas. The synthesis gas is separated into a hydrogen-enriched permeate and a hydrogen-depleted non-permeate by use of a membrane. The permeate experiences a substantial pressure drop of between about 500 psi (23.9 KPa) to 700 psi (33.5 kPa) as it passes through the membrane. The pressure of the non-permeate gas is unchanged by the membrane. The non-permeate gas pressure is reduced to between about 200 and about 500 psi for use in a combustion turbine. The hydrogen-rich permeate is compressed to between about 800 and 3000 psi (143.6 kPa) for use in subsequent operations, i.e., for use in hydrotreating of crude oil. The non-permeate gas is expanded in a manner to provide energy which is used to compress the permeate gas.

Abstract: A method to provide Primary Frequency Regulation to a steam turbine in a combined cycle plant that comprises storing energy in the form of internal energy of the steam contained within the piping and domes of the heat recovery boilers, and then using said energy when the power grid requires a sudden increase in output power. With the present method, the losses in power generation of the steam turbine, when said turbine is operating in the Primary Frequency Regulation mode, are reduced to a minimum. When the gas turbines in a combined cycle plant operate in PFR mode, the steam turbine reduces its output power because the gas turbines must operate below their rated power. The present method converts said decrease in output power of the steam turbine in a Spinning Reserve useful for PFR in said turbine. That is to say that the present method converts said Spinning Reserve in a rapid reserve, available after just a few seconds; if necessary, response times of less than 10 seconds can be attained.

Abstract: A method of reducing emissions in the exhaust gases of an internal combustion engine that has at least one cylinder to which an air/fuel mixture is supplied when a crankshaft of the internal combustion engine is rotated, at least one intake valve, at least one exhaust valve, and a piston reciprocating between a top dead-center position and a bottom dead-center position in the cylinder. The method comprises the following steps: an air/fuel mixture with a lambda value greater than 1 is supplied to the cylinder, an electric motor/generator connected to the crankshaft maintains an essentially constant predetermined speed of the crankshaft, and the exhaust valve is controlled so that it opens before the piston has passed the bottom dead-center position is disclosed.

Abstract: A method for controlling a direct injection combustion engine is disclosed. The method includes generating an air/fuel mixture to the respective cylinders of the engine, and switching between at least a first mode of operation and a second mode of operation of the engine by adjusting the air/fuel mixture supplied to the engine and the amount of time for injecting the mixture. The switch in mode of operation is initiated in connection with operation of the engine with an air/fuel mixture adjusted in such manner that correct operation of the engine is allowed in both modes of operation during the switch. An arrangement for such a control is also disclosed. The method and arrangement provides an improved control between, for example, a stratified and a homogeneous mode of operation in a direct injection engine, wherein stable combustion in the engine and improved comfort for the passengers is achieved.

Abstract: A water-base fluid for use in drilling wells and other drilling operation includes a shale which swells in the presence of water. The fluid preferably includes: an aqueous based continuous phase, and a shale hydration inhibition agent having the formula: H2N—R—{OR′}x—Y in which R and R′ are alkylene groups having 1 to 6 carbon atoms and x is a value from about 1 to about 25. The Y group should be an amine or alkoxy group, preferably a primary amine or a methoxy group. The shale hydration inhibition agent should be present in sufficient concentration to reduce the swelling of the shale. The fluid may be used for formulating drilling fluids such as invert emulsion drilling muds or clear brine drilling fluids. The fluid may also be used in the slurrification and disposal of drill cuttings that contain water swellable clays or shales.

Abstract: A switch assembly usable in a food waste disposer is disclosed having several improvements over the prior art. The switch assembly positively retains an overload switch, making assembly of the switch into the disposer easier. The switch assembly includes terminals, which attach to the start and run windings of the disposer. The terminals are arranged in a uniform direction along a single side of the switch assembly. This arrangement allows a single, integrated connector of winding leads to be easily connected to the switch assembly, facilitating assembly and reducing the possibility of incorrectly wiring the disposer during construction.