Abstract: A method of inhibiting complement activation, particularly by a transplanted tissue, in a warm-blooded vertebrate. The method includes administering a therapeutically effective amount of a platelet activity modulator to a warm-blooded vertebrate before, during or after a tissue is transplanted to the warm-blooded vertebrate, whereby complement activation by the transplanted tissue is inhibited. The platelet activity modulator can include a combination of a GPIb modulator and a GPIIb/GPIIIa modulator.

Abstract: A method of generating a residence time measurement of a particulate-containing food product while passing the product as a continuous stream through a thermal processing apparatus is described. The method includes the steps of inserting at least one detectable particle, and preferably many detectable particles, tagged with at least one magnetic implant into the stream at pre-selected intervals; detecting the at least one implant using at least one sensor located at a detection point downstream from a location of the inserting of the at least one detectable particle; determining a time of passage of the at least one detectable particle in the stream using output from the at least one sensor; and generating a residence time measurement for the stream using the time of passage for the at least one detectable particle. The method also includes the use of multiple sensors for detecting the implants. A suitable system and detectable particle for carrying the method are also described.

Abstract: A structure containing a ferroelectric material comprises a substrate comprising silicon, a buffer layer formed on the substrate, and a non-c-axis-oriented, electrically-conductive template layer formed on the buffer layer. The template layer comprises a perovskite oxide compound. A non-c-axis-oriented, anisotropic perovskite ferroelectric layer is formed on the template layer.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for fabricating an integrated circuit, comprising the following steps: preparing a substrate (1) with an electrically insulating layer (2) above it; providing an interconnect (WL) having a lower conductive layer (3) and an upper conductive layer (4) on the insulating layer (2), the lower conductive layer (3) consisting of silicon of a first conduction type (n); embedding the interconnect (WL) in an electrically insulating structure (5, 8); reversing the doping of at least one first section (A1; A2) of the lower conductive layer (3) of the interconnect (WL) to the second conduction type (p); and at least partially uncovering a second section (A3) of the lower conductive layer (3) of the interconnect (WL) of the first conduction type (n); and selectively etching the second section (A3) of the lower conductive layer (3) of the interconnect (WL) of the first conduction type (n), with the first section (A1; A2) acting as an etching stop.

Abstract: A light-weight and impact-resistant composite material formed from a three-dimensional textile structure preform comprising at least three systems of yarns that define a plurality of interstices within the textile structure. A cellular matrix material impregnates the textile structure so as to fill the interstices of the three-dimensional textile structure and to coat at least a portion of the surface area thereof.

Abstract: A coding device for coding binary data with a particular transmit signal spectrum, the coding device having a data stream separating device for separating a data stream, which consists of the binary data to be coded, into data blocks having a predetermined data block length, a calculating device for calculating the difference between the number of binary data having a second binary state, for each data block, and a transmitting device for transmitting each data block as transformed data block or as non-transformed data block via a communication channel connected to the transmitting device, in such a manner that the total sequence of the data blocks transmitted by the transmitting device on the communication channel exhibits the particular transmit signal spectrum.

Abstract: A retaining wall connection for mechanically stabilized earth structures comprising a plurality of courses of cementations blocks stacked together to define a retaining wall and having a backfill material provided behind the retaining wall. A first layer of geogrid web material has a leading edge disposed between vertically adjacent blocks at a predetermined vertical height of the retaining wall with the trailing edge of the first layer of geogrid web material extending backwardly into the backfill material so as to be engaged thereby. A second layer of geogrid web material is provided so as to overlay and contact the first layer of geogrid web material from the leading edge thereof to at least a medial portion of the first layer of geogrid web material in order to provide a significant increase in the connection strength in the retaining wall and the backfill material. A method for forming a retaining wall structure for mechanically stabilized earth is also described.

Abstract: A real-time structured light depth extraction system includes a projector for projecting structured light patterns onto an object of interest. A camera positioned off-axis from the projector samples light reflected from the object synchronously with the projection of structured light patterns and outputs digital signals indicative of the reflected light. An image processor/controller receives the digital signals from the camera and processes the digital signals to extract depth information of the object in real time.

Abstract: A crane monitoring system and method is characterized by a plurality of sensors mounted to a crane which communicate data to an on-board control unit. The control unit is characterized by having “black box” functionality. A tip switch is mounted in parallel relation to the vertical portion of a hoist cable below the boom tip. The control unit processes and stores input data from the sensors which will indicate unsafe crane conditions, defined as alarm events such as dragging and extrication events. Each stored event has a time and date stamp. Upon detection of an alarm event, the control unit logs data from the sensors into a non-volatile memory, along with the data from a period of time prior to the alarm event. Data is stored continuously until the alarm event clears. Additional data is stored for a period of time after the conclusion of the alarm event.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for biaxial load deformation testing of textile and other membrane materials including a first pair of spaced-apart segmented clamping systems for detachably engaging a membrane test material along opposing sides in the X direction. A second pair of spaced-apart segmented clamping systems is provided for detachably engaging a membrane test material along opposing sides extending in the Y direction. Each of the first pair and each of the second pair of spaced-apart segmented clamping systems are interconnected by a pantograph so as to be slidably extendable and slidably contractible with respect to each other and proportional to strain in the membrane test material in the X and Y directions, respectively.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a composition and a method for cleaning instruments and the like. More particularly, it is concerned with compositions for removal of body fluid from surgical instruments and other surfaces such as operating tables and instrument trays.

Abstract: Analog-to-digital converter for converting an analog input signal which is present at a signal input (2a, 2b) and has a specific frequency bandwidth, into an offset-free digital output signal, having a subtracting amplifier (5), which subtracts an analog actuating signal from the analog input signal in order to generate an analog difference signal and amplifies the analog difference signal generated, an analog-to-digital converter circuit (18) having a high clock rate for converting the amplified analog difference signal into the digital output signal, a digital clamping circuit (24) for digital low-pass filtering of the digital output signal, and having a digital-to-analog converter circuit (49) for converting the digital output signal filtered by the clamping circuit (24) into the analog actuating signal.

Abstract: A methods of treating an infection comprises administering a therapeutically effective amount of a compound described by the Formula (I): wherein: X may be O, S, or NR′ wherein R′ is H or loweralkyl; R1 and R2 may be independently selected from the group consisting of H, loweralkyl, oxyalkyl, alkoxyalkyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, hydroxyalkyl, aminoalkyl, and alkylaminoalkyl; R3 and R4 are each independently selected from the group consisting of H, loweralkyl, halogen, oxyalkyl, oxyaryl, and oxyarylalkyl; R5 is represented by a formula selected from the group consisting of:  wherein: X1, X2, and X3 are independently selected from O and S; and R6 and R7 are independently selected from the group consisting of loweralkyl, aryl, alkylaryl, oxyaryl, an ester-containing substituent, and oxyalkyl; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

Abstract: Isolated polynucleotide molecules, and peptides encoded by these molecules, are used in the analysis of human cardiac potassium channel minK subunit variants, as well as in screening and diagnostic applications relating to a D85N polymorphism in the KCNE1 gene encoding the human cardiac potassium channel minK subunit polypeptide. By analyzing biological samples from a subject, it is possible to type a human cardiac potassium channel minK subunit with regard to the KCNE1-D85N polymorphism, for example, in the context of screening for susceptibility to drug-induced cardiac arrhythmias.

Abstract: A wireless communication network monitoring system for use in performing a user specified trace of signaling messages associated with a mobile call is disclosed. A central processing platform creates and distributes signaling message filter criteria information to a plurality of link monitoring modules (LMM). The filter criteria are asserted at a LMM and a matching signaling message is copied and subsequently transmitted to the central processing platform. Central processing platform receives the matching signaling message and uses information contained therein to create and distribute a second signaling message filter criteria. In such a manner, a call trace sequence is compiled and displayed. A billing subsystem is also disclosed and is adapted to generate a billing record based on information contained with one or more of the messages associated with the call trace sequence.

Abstract: A robotic apparatus adapted for locomotion in an enclosed space such as a pipe includes a combination of articulated gripping and locomotive modules. Each gripping module includes an actuator mechanically linked to gripping members such that axial forces produced by the actuator are translated to radial forces in the gripping members, whereby the gripping members are caused to alternately hold and release the engagement of the robotic apparatus with surfaces of the enclosed space. Each locomotive module includes one or more actuators adapted to alternatively expand and contract the length of the locomotive module. The sequence of operations of the gripping and locomotive modules can be controlled such that the robotic apparatus can crawl through the enclosed space in an inchworm-like fashion and is capable of navigating turns and traversing inclines.

Abstract: A base material for a printed circuit board, and a printed circuit board constructed therefrom. The base material is formed from a three-dimensional orthogonally woven fabric having a crimp-free fiber architecture in the x-y plane and an integrated multi-layer structure. The base material comprises a first system of straight first fibers extending along a first direction in a first plane, a second system of straight second fibers extending along a second direction in a second plane parallel to the first plane, and a third system of third fibers extending along a third direction through the first and second systems and binding the first and second fibers thereof. A filler material coats a portion of the first, second and third systems. The printed circuit board comprises the base material and one or more conductive layers attached to surfaces of the base material.

Abstract: A distance measuring device is capable of measuring a distance to a piston with a cylinder both discretely and continuously. The distance measuring device includes a coupling probe located axially symmetrically with respect to a piston rod within the cylinder. The coupling probe transmits a continuous wave electromagnetic signal into the cylinder and detects its reflection to measure the distance to the piston while the piston is moving.

Abstract: A separable double lumen endotracheal tube is disclosed having a first lumen and a second lumen and which are removably affixed together to allow the first lumen to be separated from the second lumen of the double lumen endotracheal tube and, if desired, to be subsequently affixed together again. Either lumen of the double lumen endotracheal tube can function alone for positive pressure ventilation, but normally the bronchial lumen will be removed from a patient and the tracheal lumen left in place to function alone to provide positive pressure ventilation as required by a patient. The double lumen endotracheal tube will, however, function to allow the bronchial lumen to remain in a patient subsequent to removal of the tracheal lumen as a matter of choice during a medical procedure.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for measuring the amount by which the centerline of a shaft disposed in a vessel is offset from the central vertical axis of the vessel, and for measuring the height of such shaft above the inside bottom of the vessel. Apparatus includes a shaft centerline offset measurement device, a shaft height measurement device, and a control/display console. Each measurement device includes a transducer or optical encoder for sensing a displaced position of a biased plunger to which a code strip is mounted. The devices may be combined into a single shaft offset and height measurement device. Improved methods include calculating shaft offset based on a plurality of readings from the transducer, and applying trigonometric relationships. The apparatus and methods are particularly useful in the verification of paddle or basket shafts utilized in dissolution testing stations, so that the dissolution testing protocol complies with government agency guidelines.