Abstract: A member of a specific binding pair (sbp) is identified by expressing DNA encoding a genetically diverse population of such sbp members in recombinant host cells in which the sbp members are displayed in functional form at the surface of a secreted recombinant genetic display package (rgdp) containing DNA encoding the sbp member or a polypeptide component thereof, by virtue of the sbp member or a polypeptide component thereof being expressed as a fusion with a capsid component of the rgdp. The displayed sbps may be selected by affinity with a complementary sbp member, and the DNA recovered from selected rgdps for expression of the selected sbp members. Antibody sbp members may be thus obtained, with the different chains thereof expressed, one fused to the capsid component and the other in free form for association with the fusion partner polypeptide. A phagemid may be used as an expression vector, with said capsid fusion helping to package the phagemid DNA.

Abstract: Various configurations of discharge valves for humidifier water containers are disclosed herein. Among other things, the present invention provides simple and economical discharge valves that may be constructed in one piece using an elastic material such as silicone rubber. One configuration includes a valve body and stopper with an elastic rib integrally formed with the valve body and the stopper having adequate length to maintain the stopper in a closed position absent external forces. Another configuration uses a flexible barrier is integrally formed with a valve body. The barrier has a slit through its thickness, and is sufficiently resilient to prevent liquid flow through the slit under the weight of water inside the container. In accordance with other aspects of the invention, the valve has a flexible member defining a base and a generally cylindrical sidewall that has at least one opening therethrough.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus employing membrane filtration in biodegradation processes for treatment of wastewater are described. A bioreactor system is described having an equalization system, a membrane bioreactor system, and a controller. Aeration systems for a membrane bioreactor, such as a mixer, and an ultrafilter subsystem are also described, as is a rotary membrane ultrafilter.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the rapid and reliable detection of drug-selected mutations in the HIV protease gene allowing the simultaneous charaterization of a range of codons involved in drug resistance using specific sets of probes optimized to function together in a reverse-hybridization assay.

Abstract: The methods and materials disclosed herein are directed to glyphosate herbicide tolerance in plants. In particular, the isolation of a glyphosate resistant EPSP synthase coding sequence from Eleusine indica. The coding sequence is useful to genetically engineer plants for tolerance to glyphosate herbicide.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in circulating cement in a casing in a wellbore is described having a first component such as a sensor disposed on the casing and a second component such as a detectable device disposed at a fluid interface formed between the cement and a fluid. The sensor may be a sensor coil mounted on the perimeter of the lower end of the casing, while the detectable device may be a transponder capable of emitting Radio Frequency Identification signals to the sensor to signal its arrival at the lower end of the casing. The transponder may be encased in a protective covering. Also described is a method of cementing a casing utilizing a first component such as a sensor disposed on the casing and a second component such as a detectable device disposed in the cement.

Abstract: A motor control system for use in heating, ventilation, and air conditioning applications includes a blower, a motor coupled to drive the blower, an inverter coupled to provide energization to the motor, and a controller coupled to the inverter. The controller provides signals to control the output of the inverter in response to received input control signals. Input control signals received by the controller can define first and second operating states. In response to the input control signals defining the first operating state, the controller controls the output of the inverter in accordance with a first volts vs. hertz relationship. In response to the input control signals defining the second operating state, the controller controls the output of the inverter in accordance with a second volts vs. hertz relationship, where the first volts vs. hertz relationship is different than the second volts vs. hertz relationship.

Abstract: Compounds of formula 1 modulate the activity of Rho C: wherein R1 is H, OH, or lower alkyl; R2, R3, R4, R5, and R6 are each independently H, halo, lower alkyl, OH, lower alkoxy, NH2, lower alkylamino, di(lower alkyl)amino, SH, lower alkylthio, NO2, or two residues together form a heterocyclic ring; R7, R8, R9, and R10 are each independently H, lower alkyl, OH, NH2, aryl, or aralkyl, where aryl and aralkyl are substituted with 0-3 moieties selected from the group consisting of halo, OH, NH2, lower alkyl, lower alkoxy, SH, lower alkylthio, and lower alkylamino; R11, R12, R13, R14, R15, and R16 are each independently H, halo, lower alkyl, OH, lower alkoxy, or NO2; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

Abstract: A system is provided for removing dissolved metals from industrial wastewater by electrocoagulation. The system includes an electrocoagulation reactor with a DC power supply having an insulation support enclosure with positive and negative electrode plates disposed thereon. The electrode plates are insulated for each other but remain in direct contact with the wastewater as it flows between the electrodes. The DC power supply induces opposite charges on alternate electrodes thereby generating an electric field between adjacent electrodes to cause the electrodes to ionize and go into solution for interaction with the contaminants in the wastewater as it flows through the reactor. The reactor is housed in a pressure vessel container so the exterior pressure on the reactor is higher than its internal pressure preventing leakage of fluids and oxygen and hydrogen gases produced in the reactor by decomposition of water.

Abstract: A device for automatically milking an animal. The device is provided with at least two teat cups to be connected to respective teats of the animal. The milking vacuum unit generates a milking vacuum in the teat cups, which milking vacuum unit comprises at least two vacuum lines that are each connectable to a respective teat cup. The milking vacuum unit comprises a common vacuum pump and a common buffer vessel to which vacuum can be applied by use of the common vacuum pump. All vacuum lines are connectable to the common buffer vessel. An individual buffer vessel is provided in each vacuum line and is disposed between the common buffer vessel and the respective teat cup. An individual buffer vessel is provided with a respective individual vacuum pump for applying vacuum to the individual buffer vessel.

Abstract: A cooling system for use in conjunction with electronic devices (such as a computer) is disclosed. The cooling system is composed of several segments that comprise a continuous thermal path from the heat producing electronic component to a primary fluid circuit. The system transfers the heat to a secondary fluid circuit. The primary circuit is sealed and allows the transfer of heat to the secondary circuit without the requirements of the secondary fluid being directly connected through hoses or other means to the electronic device.

Abstract: A method for power optimization in a vehicle/train, using time reserves which are included when planning a schedule, is proposed. In order to achieve a power-saving travel mode with the aid of an optimization algorithm, the presence of a number of completely or partially autonomous drive systems is taken into account, the separate functions of efficiency or power loss of each drive system being taken into consideration.

Abstract: A storage controller for controling access to data storage has a memory and at least one data port for a data network including host processors. The memory is programmed to define a respective specification for each host processor of a respective subset of the data storage to which access by the host processor is restricted, and each specification is associated with a host identifier stored in the memory. When the storage controller receives a data access request from a host processor, it decodes a host identifier from the data access request, and searches the memory for a host identifier matching the host identifier decoded from the request. Upon finding a match, the respective specification of the respective subset for the host processor is accessed to determine whether or not storage specified by the storage access request is contained in the respective subset. If so, then storage access can continue, and otherwise, storage access is denied.

Abstract: A method of estimating the effect of the parasitic currents in an electromagnetic actuator for the control of an engine valve, the parasitic currents being modelled by means of an equivalent parasitic current which circulates in an equivalent turn which is short-circuited and magnetically coupled to a magnetic circuit formed by an electromagnet and an actuator body and the value of the equivalent parasitic current being estimated by resolving the differential equation obtained by applying the generalized Ohm's law to the equivalent turn.

Abstract: A system for carrier phase tracking of symbols. In an embodiment employing a feedback structure, a symbol derotator pre-rotates a symbol by a derotation phase. A symbol and reliability estimation engine provides, responsive to the pre-rotated symbol, an estimate of the symbol and a reliability metric for the estimate. A tracking loop module determines a residual between the pre-rotated symbol and the symbol estimate, weights the residual by the reliability metric for the estimate, and determines a phase offset estimate responsive to the weighted residual. An accumulator then determines a next derotation phase responsive to the phase offset estimate. In an embodiment employing a feedforward structure, a symbol and reliability estimation engine provides an estimate of a symbol and a reliability metric for the estimate.

Abstract: A well treatment fluid composition comprises a solvent (such as water), a polymer soluble or hydratable in the solvent, a crosslinking agent, an inorganic breaking agent, and an ester compound. Preferably, the hydratable polymer is a polysaccharide, such as galactomannan, cellulose, or derivatives thereof. The crosslinking agent is preferably a borate, titanate, or zirconium-containing compound. The inorganic breaking agent is preferably a metal-based oxidizing agent, such as an alkaline earth metal or transition metal-based oxidizing agent. The ester compound is preferably an ester of polycarboxylic acid, such as an ester of oxalate, citrate, or ethylenediamine tetraacetate. One example of a suitable ester compound is acetyl triethyl citrate.

Abstract: An improved reagent system for preparation of cells for flow cytometry having a physiologically compatible salt solution composition including a lysing agent, an agent for minimizing white blood cell lysis, and optionally a preservative.

Abstract: A method and system for determining the resistance of a winding insulation. The method includes applying a pulsed voltage having a maximum value and a minimum value to the winding insulation. The maximum and minimum values of the pulsed voltage are both negative values in certain exemplary implementations. The values of the maximum and minimum current flowing through the winding insulation are determined, and the winding insulation resistance is calculated based on the difference between the maximum and minimum current. A ground fault may be detected based on the calculated winding insulation resistance. The winding insulation monitoring system includes a sense resistor connected to the winding insulation and a pulsed voltage source is coupled to the sense resistor to apply the pulsed voltage to the winding insulation via the sense resistor.

Abstract: This invention relates to an electrophoretic display comprising isolated cells of well-defined shape, size and aspect ratio which cells have internal sub relief structures and are filled with charged pigment particles dispersed in a dielectric solvent. The display shows an improved contrast ratio and resistance against shear and compression pressures. The display may have the traditional up/down switching mode, an in-plane switching mode or a dual switching mode.

Abstract: A new variety of Chrysanthemum plant named ‘Mega Time Amber,’ having a good uniform canopy of amber/golden single flowers and a light green disc producing a dark spot with age. The new variety has a medium tall vigor, free branching, uniform spreading habit and good foliage presentation.