Abstract: An interface device adapted to be connected between an electrical circuit and a monitor. The invention of a common terminal, “n” number of sensing terminals, “n” number of sensing impedances, and “n” number of load terminals. Each load terminal is in electrical communication with the common terminal through a separate sensing impedance. Each sensing impedance is substantially less than the aggregate electrical circuit load side impedance between the sensing impedance and ground when the invention is connected in series between the supply side and load side of the electrical circuit. Each load terminal is substantially the same electrical point as only one sensing terminal. In one embodiment, the invention incorporates various protective elements including: a supply side electrical circuit protective element; a load side electrical circuit protective element; and a monitor circuit protective element.

Abstract: Betaine transition metal complexes are formed by: a) reacting a solution including an alkali metal salt of chloroacetic acid with a solution including the transition metal salt to give a solution including a chloroacetate transition metal complex; and b) reacting the solution including the chloroacetate transition metal complex with trimethylamine to give a solution including the betaine transition metal complex. Such betaine transition metal complexes may be used as a feed supplement for animals in the process of preparing such animals for market.

Abstract: System and method for protecting a cooling system of a liquid-cooled engine using a protective material. This system enables a boat operator to flush the cooling system using salt, brackish or fresh water. In one embodiment, the system includes a reservoir, a dispenser and a connection device. The reservoir is capable of containing a protective material that can include, among others properties, anticorrosive properties. The dispenser controls release of the protective material from the reservoir and can be controlled manually or through a control unit. The system is coupled with the cooling system downstream from raw water intake ports and upstream from a terminal end of the cooling system as the cooling system terminates at the exhaust port. The protective fluid can be dispensed using gravity feed or a pump.

Abstract: A method monitors pumping operations of a vehicle that pumps various fluid treatments down into a well being serviced at a well site. The method records the vehicle's engine speed and the values of one or more fluid-related variables, such as pressure, temperature, flow rate, and pump strokes per minute. The values are recorded as a function of the time of day that the variables and engine speed were sensed. In some embodiments, the recorded values are communicated over a wireless communication link from a remote well site to a central office.

Abstract: A distributed dictation system includes a data communication network, an administrative server connected to the network, and a plurality of dictation servers connected to the network. The dictation servers store dictation jobs and selectively download the dictation jobs to transcriber stations connected to the dictation servers from time to time via the network. The administrative server receives log-on signals from the transcriber stations and selectively assigns the transcriber stations to dictation servers on the basis of assignment rules stored in the administrative server.

Abstract: A highly sensitive accelerometer for determining the acceleration of a structure includes a mass within a housing suspended by opposing support members. The support members are alternately wound around a pair of fixed mandrels and the mass in a push pull arrangement. At least a portion of one of the support members comprises a transducer capable measuring the displacement of the mass within the housing. An embodiment of the invention employs optical fiber coils as the support members for use in interferometric sensing processes. Arrays of such interferometer based accelerometers may be multiplexed using known techniques.

Abstract: The invention discloses a method of reducing emissions in the exhaust gases of an internal combustion engine having at least one cylinder to which an air/fuel mixture is supplied when a crankshaft of the internal combustion engine rotates, at least one inlet valve, at least one exhaust valve, control members for controlling the opening and closing of the inlet and exhaust valves, and a piston reciprocating between a top dead-center position and a bottom dead-center position in the cylinder. The method includes the steps of supplying an air/fuel mixture with lambda value greater than 1 to the cylinder, controlling the internal combustion engine so that it works at high load, and controlling the inlet valve so that it opens after the piston has passed the top dead-center position. According to an embodiment of the invention, the internal combustion engine is controlled so that the crankshaft rotates at an essentially constant speed within a range of about 1000 to about 2000 rpm.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to the use of non-ion-implanted silicon oxynitride films as resistive elements. Such films have been traditionally used in semiconductor processing as antireflective coatings, but their utility as highly resistive circuit elements has heretofore not been realized. Such films find specific utility when used as the load resistors in a 4-T SRAM cell.

Abstract: A control pedal unit for a vehicle having a support structure, a pedal connected to the support structure and a detection mechanism responsive to movement of the pedal for generating a signal corresponding to the position or change of position of the pedal. The pedal is formed as a resilient body that is supported by the support structure and the detection mechanism is adapted to generate a signal corresponding to a degree of flexure or change of degree of flexure of the pedal for controlling an operation of the vehicle.

Abstract: A method of updating in real-time the locations and velocities of mass points of a two- or three-dimensional object represented by a mass-spring system. A modified implicit Euler integration scheme is employed to determine the updated locations and velocities. In an optional post-integration step, the updated locations are corrected to preserve angular momentum. A processor readable medium and a network server each tangibly embodying the method are also provided. A system comprising a processor in combination with the medium, and a system comprising the server in combination with a client for accessing the server over a computer network, are also provided.

Abstract: A device for use with a lean-burning internal combustion engine is disclosed. The device is comprised of a means for generating an air/fuel mixture for the cylinders of the engine in order to provide at least stratified and homogenous operation, an exhaust system connected to the engine, and an NOX-adsorbing catalytic converter arranged in the exhaust system. The device additionally has a heat exchanger that is fitted upstream of the catalytic converter, wherein the heat exchanger is used to adapt the temperature of the exhaust gas from the engine to an operating state of the catalytic converter.

Abstract: An anode screen for a field-emission-display is formed by layering light-permeable conductive material and phosphor respectively over a transparent substrate. A plurality of holes are formed in the layer of phosphor to expose corresponding regions of the conductive material. In a further embodiment, the anode screen is disposed in spaced and opposing relationship to a cathode emitter plate that comprises a plurality of electron emitters. Pixel regions of the phosphor of the anode screen correspond to regions of the phosphor opposite respective electron emitters of the plurality of electron emitters. Preferably, each pixel region of the phosphor has a number of holes spaced equally about its periphery. In the preferred embodiment, six holes delimit a hexagon shape for their respective pixel region, wherein centers of the holes provide apexes of the hexagon.

Abstract: A portable audio recorder stores voice information files in the form of digital data. Header data is associated with each voice information file. The header data includes the name of the person who dictated the voice information file and the serial number of the recorder unit itself. This information may be used in connection with management of the voice information files in the recorder or after the files are transferred to another device such as a personal computer. The header data may also include the serial number of the recorder and a work facility location to which the file pertains. The user of the recorder may be permitted to select a format for the header data from among a plurality of pre-stored formats. Specific transaction data may be downloaded to the recorder, and used to build a header for a voice file, which is then uploaded with the header to another device.

Abstract: A file server provides transaction processing capabilities previously supplied by the operating system of a host computer. On-disk file system metadata is changed only at commit time, and a transaction log protects the transition. The disk state can only be a consistent state, resulting from a commit operation. All disk-block reservation and pre-allocation mapping are in the memory, and after a crash, they are automatically discarded. The file server therefore relieves the client of processing burden and also reduces network traffic. In addition, the file server can more efficiently perform the transaction processing capabilities and reduce the frequency of access to storage by judicious allocation of file system blocks and transfer of file system blocks between file system objects, cache memory, and the transaction log. The differentiation between preallocation states and allocation states of in-memory file system blocks also permits application programs to more efficiently transfer data between files.

Abstract: An adjustable lifting sling including a stationary support with hanger means, one or more cam surfaces pivotally mounted to the support, a ratable locking arm having one or more corresponding complementary shaped surfaces to allow a tensile lifting member to be controllably locked between the cam and complementary shaped surfaces.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for constructing, verifying, and maintaining underground vaults that isolate and contain radioactive burial sites. The method employs a buoyant lift technique to isolate a block of soil containing the contaminates from the surrounding soil. An impermeable synthetic liner is embedded in the vault to enhance the integrity of the system. The integrity of the vault is monitored by a system of sensors placed both inside and outside of the sealed vault. The method eliminates the need to excavate or drill in the contaminated areas.

Abstract: The present invention provides a recombinant human &agr;-L-iduronidase and biologically active fragments and mutants thereof, large scale methods to produce and purify commercial grade recombinant human &agr;-L-iduronidase enzyme as well as methods to treat certain genetic disorders including &agr;-L-iduronidase deficiency and mucopolysaccharidosis I (MPS 1).

Abstract: A rack system for mounting electronic devices such as computers or telecommunication devices is disclosed. The rack includes an integrated liquid heat exchange cooling system for dissipating the heat generated by the electronic devices. The rack also includes integrated alternating current and direct current power supplies for supplying power to the electronic devices. The entire system is of modular construction, providing both scalability and redundancy.

Abstract: Novel mixed agricultural compositions, and methods for their use are disclosed. The agricultural compositions are prepared by a process comprising mixing together a carrier, such as a solid fertilizer or liquid solvent, and a carbohydrate-based surfactant, such as AGRIMUL PG 2069 (Henkel, Dusseldorf, Germany). For example, 8 quarts of surfactant were mixed with one ton of a solid fertilizer. The carrier material can further comprise biologically active agents such as herbicides, insecticides, chemosterilants, nematicides, and fungicides. These mixed agricultural compositions are used to promote the growth of plants in soil and enhance soil bioremediation.

Abstract: A new variety of Chrysanthemum plant named ‘Midas Time Gold,’ having golden-yellow quilled/spoon shaped ray florets with dark green disc florets.