Abstract: This invention is a method and apparatus for controlling charging and/or discharging a battery for a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV).

Abstract: An oil drain tube is provided for an internal combustion engine, which prevents oil draining from an oil separator from encountering blowby gases. The oil drain tube includes a first non-horizontal tube portion in direct fluid communication with the oil separator, a second non-horizontal tube portion in direct fluid communication with an oil sump and a tube portion connecting the first non-horizontal tube portion and the second non-horizontal tube portion in fluid communication with one another.

Abstract: A sterile connector is provided including a coupler, a protective cap, and a puncturable membrane film. The coupler has a tubular top with an upper edge defining an inwardly facing continuous shoulder, a mounting piece connected to the inwardly facing continuous shoulder adapted to sealably receive a plunge pin, a bottom insertable into a container having wall and sealable to the container wall, and a channel-like passage extending between the top and the bottom. The protective cap is attached to the tubular top of the coupler to seal the top, and has a lower edge connected to the inwardly facing continuous shoulder to define an annular rupture zone. The puncturable membrane film is sealed to the bottom of the coupler to close the channel-like passage. The sterile connector may be combined with a container, attached to the bottom of the coupler, to define an assembly.

Abstract: A multi-pole generator rotor and a method of making the same are disclosed. A multi-pole generator rotor includes a rotor body having a central portion with a generally cylindrical outer surface. The outer surface includes three pairs of diametrically opposed slots extending along a length of the central portion, with each of the slots being sized to receive therein a plurality of wires. Each of the slots further includes a pair of opposed retaining flanges. A plurality of retaining members are sized for insertion into a corresponding one of the slots. Each retaining member engages a pair of the retaining flanges from its corresponding slot. The retaining members thereby retaining the wires disposed in each slot against radially outward displacement.

Abstract: A process for the fabrication of indirect dental restoratives includes the making of a first, pre-operative impression of a tooth to be restored using a first polyvinyl silicone (PVS) material disposed in a clear tray, followed by the preparation of the tooth. A second, final post-operative impression of the tooth is taken utilizing a second PVS material. A tooth model is then made by pouring a low viscosity and suitably rigid, third PVS material into the final impression. Prior to the complete setting of the low viscosity PVS material, a higher viscosity, fourth PVS material is applied onto the model PVS material to form a completed model with base. The model is then fitted into the pre-operative impression matrix made from the first PVS material. Layers of composite are packed onto the impression in the clear matrix.

Abstract: A maintenance interface device for use in a digital, loop-powered process control network includes an interface to either a two-wire input/output port of a field device or to a two-wire communication media, a control logic for determining a simple status of the field device or communication loop, and a display for displaying the simple status. The maintenance interface device may be used for fault analysis to detect whether a field device or a communication loop is operational or nonoperational, powered or unpowered, and generating a valid communication signal or generating an invalid communication signal. The maintenance interface device is adapted to perform simple functionality tests on a plurality of devices in a process control network including a loop controller, a digital control system, an operator console, a workstation, a personal computer, and a bridge to thereby detect the functionality of those devices on a communication wire.

Abstract: A control for operating an inverter coupled to a switched reluctance machine is responsive to the magnitudes of current flowing in the phase windings of the machines and controls switches in legs of the inverter based upon such magnitude.

Abstract: DNA sequences encoding seven novel seven transmembrane receptors and variants thereof are disclosed as well as materials and methods for production of the same by recombinant techniques. Antibody substances specific for each of the seven transmembrane receptors are disclosed as useful for the modulation of the ligand/receptor binding reactions of the receptors.

Abstract: A method of labelling molecules which includes providing in a common medium a label molecule, a marker ligand able to bind a member of a specific binding pair, such as an antigen, a sbp member, an enzyme able to catalyse binding of the label molecule to other molecules, the enzyme being associated with the marker ligand; causing or allowing binding of the marker ligand to the sbp member; and causing or allowing binding of the label molecule to other molecules in the vicinity of the marker ligand bound to the sbp member. The marker ligand may be an antibody or any specific binding molecule, such as a chemokine or cytokine. A complementary member of the specific binding pair may be included, e.g. an antibody, or a diverse population of such sbp members, e.g. antibodies, may be included within which those which bind the counterpart sbp member, e.g. antigen, may be labelled and subsequently isolated for manipulation and/or use.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of treatment of programmed cell death (apoptosis) through the use of the HSV-1 gene &ggr;134.5 or the product of its expression, ICP34.5. The gene and its expression have been demonstrated to be required for HSV-1 neurovirulence, and in particular, to act as an inhibitor of neuronal programmed cell death which allows for viral replication. Use of the gene therapy, or the protein itself, can be expected to result in inhibition of programmed cell death in various neurodegenerative diseases. This invention also relates to novel vectors for gene therapy, including modified herpes virus. Methods are presented for conducting assays for substances capable of mimicing, potentiating or inhibiting the expression of &ggr;134.5 or the activity of ICP34.5. Also, methods are disclosed for the treatment of tumorogenic diseases, including cancer, and for treatment of herpes and other viral infections using inhibitors of &ggr;134.5 expression or ICP34.5 activity.

Abstract: An easy open industrial bag includes a tab member secured to a front wall on the exterior of the bag. The tab member is secured between the front wall and a flap formed on a back wall of the bag and folded over and secured to the front wall for closing the bag. The flap is secured with an adhesive disposed in a pattern providing an adhesive void at an opening edge of the bag.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for automatically developing a package of advertising spots from a plurality of available spots offered by a plurality of media suppliers are disclosed. In one implementation, an apparatus includes a package developer cooperating with the memory to develop a package containing a subset of the representations of the available spots based on at least one of a plurality of guideline variables. The apparatus also includes a validator cooperating with the package developer to validate the package by ensuring that every media supplier associated with the representations in the subset supplies a minimum percentage of the spots in the subset.

Abstract: A gaming machine such as a slot machine with a bonus game is provided. The bonus indicator displays the possible bonus award before it is determined whether or not the bonus has been earned.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel nucleic acids, the novel polypeptide sequences encoded by these nucleic acids and uses thereof. These novel polynucleotide and polypeptide sequences were determined to be a novel Interleukin-1 Receptor Antagonist.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for partitioning a real-value windowed attribute into ranges, wherein the values within each range generally correspond to a particular class of results associated with runs of a process. The system and method determines a low range having attribute values generally corresponding to a first class, a middle range having attribute values generally corresponding to a second class, and an upper range having attribute values generally corresponding to the first class. The system and method may be used in a system that produces an induction tree useful in developing an indication of a cause of a particular result of a process from values associated with at least one real-valued, windowed attribute that arises during the runs of the process.

Abstract: A method for the detection of substances contained on textile fibers or other natural or synthetic polymers is disclosed. The contained substances are identified with immunochemical methods, where the immunochemical reaction can occur on the fiber or polymer. The method is especially suitable for the determination of substances that can act as allergens.

Abstract: A method of compression braking is provided for use in an internal combustion engine having a plurality of combustion chambers that share a common exhaust manifold, such as, for example, a six-cylinder engine. The method comprises the steps of moving each exhaust valve to an open position at a first time corresponding to approximately the beginning of the power portion of the cycle of the combustion chamber associated with the exhaust valve and moving each exhaust valve to the open position at a second time corresponding to approximately the end of the intake portion of the cycle of the combustion chamber associated with the exhaust valve.

Abstract: A method for assessing the reliability of an electrical power distribution system begins with identifying each element of the electrical power distribution system, and establishing characteristic data for each of these elements. The characteristic data at least identifies one operating characteristic of the element and further identifies interconnections of that element to other elements in the system. Next, at least one “minimum cut” is determined separating a first system element from a second system element, e.g., a power source from a load. The minimum cut is at least based upon the interconnection data. At least one third element is then identified, located on the minimum cut, and the reliability may then be assessed by evaluating the characteristic data of the at least one third element.

Abstract: A digital data management and order delivery system is provided. The system includes a storage device for storing digital data and a searching engine for developing a subset of the digital data stored in the storage device in response to inputs received from a first user. The system is also provided with a job order developer responsive to inputs received from the first user for developing a job order which includes: a) at least one copy of the digital data contained in the subset and identified by the first user; and b) a file containing information developed by the first user outside the system. In addition, the system includes a router for electronically routing the job order compiled by the job order developer to a second user specified by the first user.