Abstract: A crane having an upper block, a lower block, a drum, and two ropes. The upper block includes an equalizer having a yoke to which the ropes are connected. The connections between the ropes and the yoke include load cells that measure the forces carried by each of the ropes. The upper block includes a fail-safe system that prevents failure of the upper block in overload conditions.

Abstract: A novel aerial boom system for use atop a vehicle and having linear movement sensors associated with hydraulic cylinders for moving lower and upper booms such that a microprocessor associated with the system can determine the instantaneous position of each boom and coordinate movement of the booms with respect to each other and with the vehicle to prevent undesired contact and to gradually decelerate boom movement as the boom approaches its limits to avoid shock from sudden stop of boom movement. When the novel system is used with a fire fighting vehicle, two variably spaced, independently controllable, fluid discharge nozzles can be used to fight one or two separate and distinct fires simultaneously. A piercing nozzle can be associated with the outer end of the upper boom that is independently controllable in both the vertical plane and in the horizontal direction to enable piercing of a wall independent of boom movement to assist penetration.

Abstract: A method of determining the gain of an electron multiplier, especially in an Electron Multiplying Charge Coupled Device (EMCCD). The electron multiplier multiplies, in use, signals received from a device, typically a CCD, comprising photodetectors. A test signal is input to the electron multiplier from the device, and the gain of the electron multiplier is determined from the output of the electron multiplier. The test signal comprises, or is derived from, electrical charge generated by the photodetectors other than as a result of the incidence of an electromagnetic signal on the photodetectors. The test signal comprises, or is derived from, dark current, or clock induced charge.

Abstract: A method of identifying a test-taker is disclosed. The method includes the step of sampling a biometric characteristic of the test-taker, and may include the step of sampling a second biometric characteristic of the test-taker. The method may include the step of identifying the test administrator by sampling a biometric characteristic of the test administrator. A method of authorizing the administration of a test is also disclosed.

Abstract: A boot having an oversized toe box within which a layer of cold weather insulating material of increased thickness is provided.

Abstract: Methods of treating a skin ulcer of a mammal comprise providing an antibiotic or fungicide, and HGF to said mammal. Additional methods of treating a mammal with a skin ulcer comprise identifying a mammal with a skin ulcer as one in need of an antibiotic and HGF, and providing an antibiotic and HGF to the identified mammal.

Abstract: A crane return system is used for returning a crane component to a home position when there is a loss of power. A crane includes a bridge with a plurality of main wheels adapted to travel along at least one rail. The crane return system includes a plurality of auxiliary drive wheels supported by the bridge, the auxiliary drive wheels movable between a first position, in which the auxiliary drive wheels are recessed from the rail, and a second position, in which the auxiliary drive wheels are in contact with the rail. When power is supplied to the crane return system the auxiliary drive wheels are in the first position. A hydraulic fluid pressure vessel stores hydraulic fluid, wherein a substantially fixed mass of hydraulic fluid is contained within the crane return system, and a hydraulic cylinder is interconnected with the auxiliary drive wheels and selectively fluidly communicates with the hydraulic fluid pressure vessel.

Abstract: A shifter lever assembly includes a base, a shifter lever movable relative to the base along a shift path, and at least one gate defining a gear position along the shift path. A release mechanism includes a gate pin movable along a linear path between a locked position wherein the gate pin cooperates with the at least one gate to secure the shifter lever in the gear position and an unlocked position wherein the shifter lever is movable from the gear position along the shift path, an actuator operatively coupled to the gate pin to selectively move the gate pin from the locked position to the unlocked position, and at least one rotatable roller located between the gate pin and the at least one gate.

Abstract: A shifter mechanism includes a secondary detent forming a secondary detent profile having a plurality of gear positions, a shifter lever movable relative to the detent profile and a along a shift path, a lever pivotably secured to the shifter lever and engaging the detent profile as the shifter lever moves along the shift path, and a torsion spring biasing the lever into engagement with the detent profile. The illustrated lever includes a cylindrical-shaped connecting portion operatively secured to the shifter lever and an elongate arm portion extending from the connecting portion and having a free end engaging the secondary detent profile. The illustrated connecting portion is received in a cylindrically-shaped cavity formed by the shifter lever so that the lever is pivotable relative to the shifter lever and the spring extends about the connecting portion to resiliently bias the lever into engagement with the secondary detent profile.

Abstract: A method of making ceramic electrode materials comprising intimate mixtures of two or more components, including at least one nanoscale ionically conducting ceramic electrolyte material (e.g., yttrium-stabilized zirconia, gadolinium-doped ceria, samarium-doped ceria, etc.) and at least one powder of an electrode material, which may be an electrically conducting ceramic electrode material (e.g., lanthanum strontium manganite, praseodymium strontium manganese iron oxide, lanthanum strontium ferrite, lanthanum strontium cobalt ferrite, etc.) or a precursor of a metallic electrode material (e.g., nickel oxide, copper oxide, etc.). The invention also includes anode and cathode coatings and substrates for solid oxide fuel cells prepared by this method.

Abstract: A sheet material cutting machine includes a bristle bed with generally vertically extending bristles having free ends defining a support surface for supporting sheet material to be cut and a carriage movable over the bristle bed and carrying at least one cutting tool to selectively cut the sheet material. A vacuum cleaning system provides vacuum at the carriage to remove cutting debris as the cutting tool is cutting the sheet material. Illustrated embodiments include providing the vacuum through a passage in the cutting tool and providing the vacuum through a cavity in a presser foot.

Abstract: The invention relates to perovskite oxide electrode materials in which one or more of the elements Mg, Ni, Cu, and Zn are present as minority components that enhance electrochemical performance, as well as electrode products with these compositions and methods of making the electrode materials. Such electrodes are useful in electrochemical system applications such as solid oxide fuel cells, ceramic oxygen generation systems, gas sensors, ceramic membrane reactors, and ceramic electrochemical gas separation systems.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a test socket for a semiconductor device, which may correspond to a narrow pitch of terminal interval and high speed test in a simplified structure, thereby reducing manufacturing cost thereof. The test socket for a semiconductor device includes conductive substrates having contact point parts exposed at upper and lower surfaces for contacting the terminals of the semiconductor device and the lead terminals of the test board, and slant parts connecting the contact point parts and facing each other in repetitive arrangement, and an insulating elastic element filled in positions where the slant parts are formed as the contact point parts of the conductive substrate are exposed to the outside so as to fix the conductive substrates.

Abstract: Methods for measuring at least one mucosally released neuroendocrine gut system component in an individual and methods for diagnosing a gastrointestinal disorder in an individual based on the concentration of at least one mucosally released neuroendocrine gut system component, and/or the ratio of the concentrations of at least one mucosally released neuroendocrine gut system component and at least one mucosally released inflammatory release mediator are provided.

Abstract: A transducer utilizes a sound-producing member positioned in the area of magnetic flux concentration between magnetic poles of opposite polarity. The sound-producing member is variably vibratable in a magnetic structure between the poles to generate acoustic waves, and an acoustic conduit carries the acoustic waves through the magnetic poles e to a location outside the magnetic structure.