Abstract: A tidally driven electricity generator (1) has a series of turbines (2), each of which is mounted under water in an offshore location. Each turbine (2) has blades (3) which are rotated by tidal flow of water, to power a respective generator (4), which outputs AC electrical power via a respective transformer (5) to a cable (6) and appropriate switchgear (7). The cable (6) is connected to a further transformer (8) located onshore, and the transformer (8) is connected to two AC inputs of a drive (9) containing an AC/DC converter, one input (10) of which is connected via a cable to a control feedback device (11). The control feedback device (11) may be a flow meter which determines the velocity of the tidal flow, or may contain look-up tables containing information relating to the velocity of tidal flow at any particular time. The drive (9) outputs DC electrical signals along cabling (13) to DC/AC converter (14), which outputs AC electrical powervia transformer (15) to a fixed frequency local supply grid (16).

Abstract: A docking station advantageously provides a location identifier to a portable processing device which processes the location identifier to determine docking station location (and other information) and to upload settings and configuration information related to an identified location which is retained until a different docking station location is encountered. In a system for use in a docking station suitable for attaching to a portable patient monitoring device for processing signal parameters acquired from a patient, a power coupler couples power to provide electrical power to a portable processing device. An adaptive communication interface, in a first mode of operation, communicates an identifier associated with a particular docking station to the portable processing device, and in a second mode of operation, establishes connection of the portable processing device to a network.

Abstract: An electrically isolated, combined power and signal coupler, for a patient connected device, is disclosed. A docking station and a portable device, capable of docking with the docking station each include a power coupler and an electrically isolated data transducer. The respective power couplers include a magnetically permeable element including a central pole and a peripheral pole and a printed circuit board with an opening through which the central pole protrudes. The printed circuit board includes windings surrounding the central pole opening: a primary winding in the docking station and a secondary winding in the portable device. When the portable device is docked with the docking station, the magnetically permeable element in the portable device and the magnetically permeable element in the docking station are arranged to form a magnetic circuit, and the data transducer in the portable device and the data transducer in the docking station are arranged to exchange data.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the invention provide a system to monitor a patient. In some aspects, a signal representing a value of a physiological parameter is received from a monitoring device. The received value is a value that caused the monitoring device to trigger an alarm associated with the psychological parameter. A notification is determined based on the received signal and on a second signal that represents a value of a second physiological parameter. The notification is then presented to an operator.

Abstract: A molded dried food material which can be preserved at normal temperature, exhibits favorable rehydrating property with full of voluminous feeling when rehydrated, maintaining excellent taste, color and eat feeling without permitting the shape to be collapsed. A method of producing a dried food material comprises the steps of blanching a food material to be treated to obtain a blanched food material; mixing a vehicle to the blanched food material to obtain a vehicle-mixed food material; drying the vehicle-mixed food material with the hot air until the weight reduces to no less than 20% but no more than 70% to obtain a rehydration dried food material; press-molding the rehydration dried food material to obtain a press-molded food material; and freeze-drying the press-molded food material to obtain a freeze-dried food material; wherein the press-molding process to press down the freeze-dried food material with a force which can be rehydrated back to a sufficient degree when rehydrated.

Abstract: An auxiliary garment hanger for adjustably displaying, transporting and storing multiple articles of clothing. The auxiliary garment hanger is a drop loop type garment hanger comprising two parts. A first part is an elongated vertical body having a loop at one end which can be suspended from the hook of a conventional hanger. A second part is a horizontal support having fasteners for attachment to clothing and an integrated latching mechanism which allows the horizontal support to be affixed to the elongated vertical body at varying heights relative to the conventional hanger. The latch can be easily disengaged to permit the horizontal support to be re-adjusted or removed from the elongated body and reattached to another.

Abstract: A fully automated apparatus and system for processing shellfish such as shrimp and crawfish including the cooking, drying and peeling thereof. The present invention utilizes excessive heat generated by boilers to heat the dryers. The product is cooked in a brine mix that once used is transferred to a broth processing system to make a seafood flavored broth and is also injected as a fine mist into a furnace where it crystallizes into a solid product to be used as a seafood flavored salt.

Abstract: A method for forming a glittering coating film in which after a glittering base coating film is formed on a substrate to be coated by applying thereto a glittering base coating material containing a colloid particle liquid containing noble metal or copper colloid particles, the glittering base coating film is heated or set, and then a clear coating film is formed. By the method, a glittering coating film is provided which has weathering resistance and high gloss, and develops a metal feeling or a coloring metal feeling giving rise to a less feeling of metal particles than by the plating-tone coating film, and superior in design property.

Abstract: A pharmaceutical composition for relieving the itch, pain, and swelling resulting from insect bites and stings, and methods for producing and using the composition. The method preferably comprises topically applying to the affected area the composition which contains an abrasive ingredient and an anti-itch enzyme, both of which are dispersed in a carrier containing effective amounts of emulsifiers, and/or dispersants and may take the form of a powder, liquid, or paste. The final pharmaceutical composition is preferably made in the form of a cream or lotion so that it can be rubbed directly on the skin at the affected site. The pharmaceutical composition for relieving the itch, pain, and swelling resulting from insect bites and stings disclosed herein may also contain an anesthetic and/or antibiotic.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a composition and method of providing ionic forms or compounds of any combination of three metals to produce a product that can be used as a antimicrobial as defined by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) such as a hard surface disinfectant and as a foliar spray or water treatment for the control of various diseases in garden row, field and tree crops, on hard surface areas such as equipment from infected fields or in hospitals, homes, etc. as well as against a wide range of human, plant and animal diseases. Additionally, the composition of the present invention is able to be used to coat and otherwise treat and disinfect food products such as but not limited to fish and shellfish, meat, milk, poultry, eggs and irrigated crops (both food and nonfood crops) as well as non food products as defined in the EPA exemption from tolerance for copper and copper products. The composition may include inerts such as surfactants, detergents and buffers to adjust the pH.

Abstract: A network compatible user interface system and method are presented for supporting navigation through patient medical information. The system comprises a communication processor for acquiring a patient group identifier allocated to a grouping of patients and for acquiring medical information associated with the patients. A display generator operates to generate a composite display window incorporating a first window including the patient group identifier and a list of patients in the grouping and a second window for displaying different medical information corresponding to different medical applications. The different medical information is associated with patients within the patient grouping. A display navigation processor maintains the first window display while displaying different medical information in the second window in response to user navigation between the different applications.

Abstract: A system and method for distributing a supply to plurality of machinery or appliances. The supply may be any of oil, gas, electrical power, water, heated and cooled air, etc. the plurality of appliances can include any of gas and oil powered devices, electrical devices, rooms having HVAC ductwork, etc. The distribution of the operating supply is provided by prioritizing the appliances with a predetermined priority. The appliances are connected in a series connection in order of priority. When any appliance is determined to be in an “ON” state of operation subsequently connected appliances are prevented from operating. Alternatively, when more than one appliance is able to operate simultaneously using the operating supply, the appliances may be divided into a plurality of groups. The plurality of groups include a group for each possible combination of appliances and each group is prioritized.

Abstract: Cementitious compositions having high compressive strength and high flexibility. An efficient method of making such strong cementitious compositions entails pre-mixing cement additives that can easily be added to a mixture of cement, silica, fibers and water. The cementitious compositions can be used to make strong, thin layers, such as tiles, that are relatively lightweight, as well as heavy structures, such as roads and bridges, without additional reinforcement.

Abstract: Cementitious compositions having high compressive strength and high flexibility. An efficient method of making such strong cementitious compositions entails pre-mixing cement additives that can easily be added to a mixture of cement, silica, fibers and water. The cementitious compositions can be used to make strong, thin layers, such as tiles, that are relatively lightweight, as well as heavy structures, such as roads and bridges, without additional reinforcement.