Abstract: A propulsion system for a four-wheel-drive vehicle, including four independently powered, computer controlled wheel assemblies (24). A turbogenerator (10) for charging a storage battery (12). A power distribution unit with a central processing unit (18). A power-sensor harness (26). A separate air-conditioner (16) for providing cold, filtered, dehumidified-air for cooling the motor-generators (40). Floor mounted accelerator and brake pedals (82)(84) coupled with electronic means (86) for accelerating, decelerating and braking the vehicle. A fuel tank (20) for running the turbogenerator (10). A comprehensive, state of the art instrument panel with electronic and audio instrumentation covering every vital function of the propulsion system. The instrument panel is not illustrated.

Abstract: An acrylonitrile solution of maleimide manifesting transparency, precluding coloration and opacification during the course of handling, and excelling in stability, a method for the preparation of the acrylonitrile solution, and an acrylonitrile based copolymer obtained by using the acrylonitrile solution are provided. The acrylonitrile solution of maleimide is such that, when it is subjected to a forced coloration test, the differences &Dgr;L, &Dgr;a, &Dgr;b values (invariably as absolute values) each between L, a, and b values before and after the test are respectively not more than 5, not more than 5, and not more than 10. The acrylonitrile solution of maleimide is prepared by lowering the water content in the acrylonitrile solution to a level of not more than 0.1% by weight, or causing the acrylonitrile solution to permit coexistence therein of a polymerization inhibitor and lowering the water content in the acrylonitrile solution to a level of not more than 0.3% by weight.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a learning disabilities diagnostic system in which a remote station includes a visual assessment component and an auditory assessment component. A diagnostic station is coupled by a communication interface to the remote station. The diagnostic station receives the visual assessment component and auditory assessment component and prepares an assessment based on the information received. Accordingly, the diagnostic system allows a user to complete visual assessment tests and auditory assessment tests in their own environment for prescreening of learning disabilities.

Abstract: A remotely activated sensory stimulation device comprised of a case, a tactile stimulatory means, a receiving unit, a transmitting unit and a controller. The amplitude and frequency of the tactile stimulation is adjustable to provide different prompts or to alter the prompt. The device is further camouflaged with a second functionality to eliminate any social stigma. The device is useful for teaching individuals with a variety of learning disorders including Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Attention Deficit Disorder and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.

Abstract: A method for the production of an esterified product which can prevent the occurrence of a gel-like substance during the separation and removal of the water formed by the reaction in the esterification reaction or during the expulsion of a dehydrating solvent by distillation after the esterification reaction by causing an antigelling agent to act on the distillate and consequently permits efficient production of the esterified product of high quality, and an apparatus therefor are to be provided.

Abstract: The method of the present invention for handling scrap tires, includes a step of providing a compacting apparatus to a scrap tire generator, such as a tire retailer. Before compacting the tires, the tire can be marked with a unique identifier assigned to every tire generator. By marking the scrap tires with a unique identifier, the scrap tires can be tracked on their way to the final destination. The compacting apparatus provides volume reduction of the scrap tires individually into a form that can have a reduction of at least fifty percent of original cubic volume. The tires can be pinched to maintain the compacted tire in the compacted form and prevent the compacted tire from regaining its original shape. The compacted scrap tires can be accumulated inside a tire collection enclosure, such as a trailer or dumpster. The collected tires can be transported with much more weight efficient loads of the tires to a transfer station, a recycling facility, or an end user.

Abstract: A surge protection and reset circuit is provided for resetting a microprocessor to maintain a discharge lamp under a normal operating condition when the microprocessor is crashed owing to the cross talk or radiation effect in igniting a discharge lamp. The surge protection and reset circuit includes a ballast electrically connected to the discharge lamp for igniting the discharge lamp, a starting control circuit electrically connected to the ballast for triggering the ballast to ignite the discharge lamp and powering the ballast, a microprocessor electrically connected to the starting control circuit for initializing the starting control circuit when the microprocessor receives a lamp-state signal and a reset signal, and a reset circuit having an output terminal electrically connected to the microprocessor for providing the reset signal to reset the microprocessor when the reset circuit receives the lamp-state signal from a lamp-state terminal of the ballast.

Abstract: Disclosed above are a device and method for protecting underground conveyances, wherein the device comprises a carrier containing fill material and, optionally, comprising a web material reinforcing the carrier. The device is oriented over an underground conveyance above a given amount of backfill so that it is detected and encountered by an excavator before the underground conveyance is damaged. In one embodiment, the device is preferably retrieved or brought to view when the webbing is snagged on the teeth of the excavating equipment.

Abstract: A method for the production of (meth)acrylic acid and/or a (meth)acrylic ester is provided. This method for the production of (meth)acrylic acid and/or a (meth)acrylic ester includes washing the device constructed for the production thereof with a basic solution and subsequently rinsing them with a solvent for the purpose of removing solid substances such as polymer and precipitate which occur during the production of (meth)acrylic acid and/or a (meth)acrylic ester.

Abstract: The present invention relates to nanogel networks having at least one cross-linked polyionic polymer fragment and at least one nonionic water-soluble polymer fragment, and compositions thereof, having at least one suitable biological agent.

Abstract: A replication-competent recombinant Sabin type 1 poliovirus vector containing a sequence coding for multiple cloning site and 3C-protease cleavage site is provided. This vector makes it easy to introduce various vaccine genes from infectious viruses to the Sabin 1 poliovirus, and facilitates to produce chimeric Sabin 1 polioviruses that are expected to be powerful oral mucosal vaccines against several infectious viral diseases.

Abstract: A card reader separable from a host machine is provided. The card reader includes a main body having a first card-placing slot for placing therein a first memory card, a connection port mounted on the main body for separably connecting with a plug, and a carrying rack mounted inside the host machine for mounting thereon the plug and separable carrying the main body so that the card reader can be separated from the host machine. The mobile card reader provided here is able to be used in both ways of being built-in the host machine and being connected from the outside.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an electric fan moving automatically, and provides driving means which comprises a driving ball (10) for moving the fan body (100); at least four driving rollers (11) disposed around the driving ball (10), and a motor (12) and a coil (14) for operating the driving rollers (11) selectively, so that the fan could be moved to the desired position conveniently with only a selective control of the power transmission between the driving ball (10) and driving rollers (11) by simple operation of a remote controller. Therefore, the convenience in using the fan is increased and thereby the entire value of the fan is also increased.

Abstract: A method for starting up a distilling column destined to handle an easily polymerizing compound-containing solution characterized by supplying at the start of the operation of the distilling column a polymerization inhibitor to the bottom liquid of the distilling column having a temperature of not higher than 80° C. Further, by supplying a reflux liquid through the top of the distilling column or the middle stage of the column prior to the start of the temperature elevation of the distilling column, thereby preventing the polymerization of the easily polymerizing compound more effectively.

Abstract: A method for the absorption of (meth)acrylic acid and/or (meth)acrolein and an apparatus thereof which, in an absorption column adapted to cause an (meth)acrylic acid and/or (meth)acrolein-containing gas obtained in consequence of catalytic gas phase oxidation to come into countercurrent contact with a solvent, contemplate using a packing of relatively high efficiency in absorption disposed on the upstream side of the flow of a liquid containing the solvent and a packing and/or trays of relatively low performance of forming polymerization disposed on the downstream side thereof, in the column.

Abstract: A compound of formula I wherein each of R1 and R2, independently of the other, is alkyl, alkoxy, cyano, cycloalkoxy, cycloalkyl or cycloalkylmethoxy; one of X and X′ is ═C═O or ═SO2 and the other of X and X′ is a divalent group selected from ═C═O, ═CH2, ═SO2 or ═CH2C═O; R3 is —SO2—Y, —COZ, —CN, or hydroxyalkyl in which Y is alkyl, phenyl, or benzyl and Z is —NR6″R7″, alkyl, phenyl, or benzyl; one of R4 and R5 is hydrogen and the other of R4 and R5 is imidazolyl, pyrrolyl; oxadiazolyl, triazolyl, or R6R7N(CzH2z)— wherein R6, when taken independently of R7, is cycloalkanoyl which is unsubstituted or substituted with halo, amino, monoalkylamino or dialkylamino; and R7 is hydrogen, alkyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, methylsufonyl; or alkoxyalkylcarbonyl.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a centrifugal barrel finishing machine. The present invention is contemplated to provide the centrifugal barrel finishing machine, which has means for driving each barrel separately from a turret so as to correct a pose of a barrel to be horizontal and thus perform inserting and discharging of work parts effectively, and simultaneously has means for opening and closing a lid of the barrel by a power driven manner using a cylinder or a sliding manner so as to increase convenience and safety with regard to opening and closing of the barrel.

Abstract: An ultrasonic motor is described which uses radial vibrations of an electro-active material disc (7) amplified by one or more flextensional diaphragms (6) to drive a rotor (4) pressed in frictional contact with the diaphragm (6) by a force imposed by a spring (3) or magentic attraction. The vibrations are converted by elastic fins (5) into rotary motion of the rotor (4). The motor can be operated in any resonant mode that generates vibration at the surface perpendicular to the contact area. Versions of the motor with one or two rotors are disclosed with the two rotor version being used to produce an output in the same direction or opposite directions.