Abstract: The fast round robin circuit includes AND gates, OR gates, multiplexers and four D flip-flop gates configured to handle requests using linear propagation of a single grant token. In this manner the device avoids wasting clock cycles when some of the arbitrated entities do not have a pending request. The circuit has an R stage and an S stage. The R stage contains the request signal and an R memorization element to memorize the request. The S stage is the arbitration stage where the next active request is selected based on the position of the current request. The selection is then memorized in an S selection bit memorization element. There is one request signal and one pair of R and S Flip-Flops associated to every requesting entity. The selection circuit skips inactive requests to enable the next active request in a polling direction defined by the circuit.

Abstract: The prefabricated universal structural steel panel and panel system includes a generally elongated rectangular panel having an opposed exterior and interior surfaces, an opposed first and second end portions, and an opposed first and second side edge portions. At least two stiffening ribs are integrally formed in the panel and extend longitudinally between the first and second end portions. The first side edge portion has a beveled configuration and is integrally connected to an elongated male connecting member. An elongated female connecting member is integrally connected to the second side edge portion and extends adjacent the interior surface to define a fold. The elongated male connecting member of one panel is cooperatively profiled to mate with the female connecting member of an adjacent panel.

Abstract: The method of carbo-nitriding alumina surfaces is a process for applying a carbo-nitride coating to an alumina or alumina-based composite surface. The method involves the step of applying a phenolic resin to the alumina surface in a thin, uniform film. The resin-coated alumina surface is maintained in a controlled chamber at about 8 bar pressure at a temperature of about 175° C. for about 2 hours. The surface is then heated at about 400° C. for several hours in an argon atmosphere. This converts the phenolic resin to carbon. The carbon coated alumina surface is then scanned by a laser beam while applying nitrogen under pressure. The end result is the conversion of the alumina at the surface to aluminum carbo-nitride, the oxygen being released in the form of carbon dioxide.

Abstract: The powered adjustable pipe wrench has a motorized rotary grip to rotate a pipe component clamped therein and a laterally spaced stationary grip to hold a second pipe component stationary relative to the first as it is being rotated. The pipe wrench may have a cylindrical jaw housing with semicylindrical fixed and openable portions hinged to one another. One end of the housing includes a powered component to rotate the pipe component held therein, while the other housing end includes jaw components holding the second pipe component stationary. Alternatively, the pipe wrench may have a powered component extending from the jaw of the wrench body to rotate the first pipe component, and a rectilinearly adjustable jaw portion extending from the wrench body. A set of jaw components is axially spaced from the rotary component to hold the second pipe component stationary.

Abstract: The rolling target device includes a base and an upstanding target window frame disposed at one end of the base. The target window frame has an opening for displaying a printed target. The opposite end of the base includes a clamp for holding a roll of paper. A selective printing assembly is disposed in the base and operatively connected to a paper feeding assembly such that discreet portions of the paper web may be printed with a desired target design and fed through the target window to expose the target design at the cutout. The printing assembly includes interchangeable printing stamps of various designs that may be selectively attached to a printing platen. The paper roll may be paper towels or toilet paper.

Abstract: The hybrid solar air-conditioning system includes an air intake having an air drying system that uses a liquid desiccant to dry ambient air, a desiccant regeneration system that uses a heat exchanger having oil heated by solar energy to remove water from the desiccant, an indirect evaporative air conditioner that uses an air-air heat exchanger to cool the dried air indirectly with evaporatively cooled air, a distilled water recovery system to recover water from the desiccant and from the evaporatively cooled air in the form of distilled water, and a microprocessor-based controller to control room temperature and relative humidity, and to regulate air intake and the flow of desiccant and oil in the system. The hybrid system enables the use of evaporative cooling in regions having high humidity.

Abstract: The siwak tooth cleaning instrument provides a carrying, protecting and application instrument for a siwak stick, to be applied to the user's teeth for cleaning thereof. In some embodiments, the siwak tooth cleaning instrument includes a tubular housing with a siwak that may be selectively and adjustably raised and lowered to extend the siwak from the housing for cleaning one's teeth, and retracted within the housing for storage and transport, similar to a lipstick. In other embodiments, the siwak tooth cleaning instrument has tooth cleaning cartridges including a siwak that releasably engage the head portion of an elongated handle. A cover may be pivotally attached to the handle for covering the handle and attached cartridge, or a storage tube with replacement cartridges may be pivotally attached to the handle.

Abstract: The underground storage of operational electronic equipment utilizes a hermetically sealable container adapted for receiving electronic equipment, such as a computer hard drive. The electronic equipment is placed in the container and electrically connected via a seal maintaining feedthrough to a facility proximate the container. The hermetically sealable container is sealed up and then buried underground.

Abstract: The firearm cartridge speed loader includes a shaft, a reload cylinder, and a rotation limit assembly at an interface between the shaft and cylinder. The reload cylinder has a plurality of pockets or chambers to hold bullet or ammunition cartridges, and the shaft includes an interference wheel configured to selectively clamp the cartridges in the pockets by simple rotation of the shaft within the limits defined by the rotation limit assembly. The rotation limit assembly includes a rotation-stop pin riding in an arcuate slot that defines the limits of shaft rotation, and a spring loaded spherical ball that selectively engages one of two detents to lock the shaft into the clamping or releasing positions, the disposition of the detents corresponding to the defined limits of the arcuate groove.

Abstract: A biological control agent for plants and a method of inoculating the plants with the biological control agent in order protect against plant disease are provided. The treatment method consists of inoculating the plant with a strain of cucumber mosaic virus (CMV), referred to as the KU1 strain, having an associated viral satellite RNA of SEQ ID NO: 1. Particularly, the KU1 strain may be used to protect plants against a particular viral strain of CMV, referred to as the KU2 strain, characterized by the associated viral satellite RNA of SEQ ID NO: 2, which causes tomato necrosis. Additionally, the KU1 strain may be used to protect against potato spindle tuber viroid (PSTV), which causes tomato stunting, fusarium wilt disease in the tomato (caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. Lycopersicae), and leaf spotting disease in the tomato (caused by Alternaria alternate).

Abstract: The elliptic-polynomial based Message Authentication Code (MAC) provides MAC generation methods based on the elliptic polynomial discrete logarithm problem. It is well known that an elliptic polynomial discrete logarithm problem is a computationally “difficult” or “hard” problem. The methods use both an elliptic polynomial and its twist, even if the polynomial and its twist are not isomorphic. Since both the polynomial and its twist are used, multiple x- and y-coordinates can be used to embed bit strings into a point that satisfies the elliptic polynomial, and the embedding process is non-iterative, so that the time required to embed the bit string is independent of the bit string content.

Abstract: The therapeutic ultrasound gel is a composition that lubricates the abdomen for ultrasound scanning, that enhances the transmission of sound waves during ultrasound diagnostic imaging, and that has beneficial therapeutic effects in preventing the formation of stretch marks. The composition contains effective amounts of aloe vera (Aloe barbadensis), glycerin, and various agents for preventing the formation of stretch marks, with the balance being sufficient water to adjust the consistency of the composition. The composition may also be formulated for home use, chiefly by the addition of vitamin D3 or, alternatively, vitamin K. Either formulation may contain additional excipients, including surfactants, emulsifiers, humectants, stabilizers, thickeners, pH balancers, preservatives, colorants, and scent, if desired.

Abstract: There is disclosed an image capture apparatus that facilitates fast, easy and convenient image capture of the two apposing pages of hard to scan bound documents such as thick books. The image capture apparatus has special design features that conveniently and properly positions bound documents to enable capturing distortion-free images without damage to the binding. In one preferred embodiment the invention facilitates the use of a digital image capture module such as a digital camera or digital video camera in performing an equivalent function to a flatbed scanner in recording digital images. In another preferred embodiment the invention facilitates the use of a regular camera in recording photographic images of the bound document. In yet another preferred embodiment the invention facilitates the use of a flatbed scanner in recording digital images.

Abstract: The portable, single-person pontoon boat includes a hull having a deck and at least one sidewall. The hull defines an open interior region. At least one laterally extending, elongated frame member having opposed first and second hollow ends is fixed to the bottom of the hull. First and second pontoon floats are further provided, along with at least one pair of spars. A distal end of each of the spars is releasably secured to a respective one of the first and second pontoon floats. A proximal end of each of the spars is slidably received within a respective one of the first and second ends of the at least one laterally extending, elongated frame member and releasably fastened thereto.

Abstract: The ultraviolet shielding compound is highly transparent in the visible light spectrum and shields approximately 100% of ultraviolet A (UVA), ultraviolet B (UVB) and ultraviolet C (UVC) radiation. The ultraviolet shielding compound is formed from polyvinyl alcohol (PYA) doped with phosphotungstic acid (H3PW12O40). Preferably, the ratio of phosphotungstic acid to polyvinyl alcohol is 1. The ultraviolet shielding compound may be formed by first making a polymeric solution of polyvinyl alcohol dissolved in deionized water. Next, phosphotungstic acid is dissolved in deionized water to form an acidic solution. The acidic solution is added to the polymeric solution to form a mixture. The mixture is then thickened and cast. The cast mixture may then be dried to produce the ultraviolet shielding compound in the form of a flexible film.

Abstract: The piezoelectric damping device is a passive piezoelectric vibration suppression and damping device for reducing amplitude of vibration in structures. The piezoelectric damping device includes a magnetic layer having opposed inner and outer faces, with the inner face thereof being adapted for releasable magnetic attachment to a vibrating structure, such as a metallic pipe, for example. A piezoelectric layer is secured to the outer face of the magnetic layer. Preferably, an electrically insulating layer is sandwiched between the magnetic layer and the piezoelectric layer. The electrically insulating layer is preferably an electrically insulating adhesive. An electrical shunting circuit is in electrical communication with the piezoelectric layer, such that vibration in the piezoelectric layer caused by the vibrating structure generates electrical energy, which is then dissipated by the electrical shunting circuit, thus damping vibration in the vibrating structure.

Abstract: The pest control seal for a recreational vehicle (RV) comprises a relatively soft and resilient foam material, which is compressed into the annular opening between the conduit and a passage through the wall or panel of the service compartment of the RV, and a relatively thin, hard retainer, which is attached to the rim or flange of the hose or conduit opening or passage. The foam material and retainer may be attached to each other, or may be installed as separate pieces held in place by compression and suitable fasteners. The retainer may be formed as two semicircular components, or as a single annular piece.

Abstract: The link exchange system and method 100 automatically creates links between web sites. Specifically, the method of creating links includes providing an account Owner the opportunity to create and manage whitelists 111 and blacklists 116 which are used as filters to automatically accept or decline a proposed link according to criteria set forth in the respective lists. If the link request is accepted, the link is created on the account Owner's link page(s).

Abstract: The automatic pubic area cleansing system includes a ventilated diaper and a removable insert pad. At least one sensor is disposed in the system. The sensors are connected to a control unit that activates a ventilating and evacuating system when moisture is detected in the diaper. A massage head is disposed in a rear portion of the pad and can provide stimulation to the coccyx area of the patient to prevent the formation of a decubitus ulcer in the region.

Abstract: The safety belt release mechanism includes sensor and belt release components. The sensor is installed at a low point within the vehicle. The sensor contains water-soluble material that retains a spring in compression so long as the water-soluble material is dry. If the vehicle is immersed in water, the water-soluble material dissolves, releasing the spring. In one embodiment, the spring drives a pin into a pressurized gas (e.g., CO2) cartridge, releasing the gas therein. The gas passes through a tube to the belt release component installed upon a belt latch mechanism, driving a pin from an engaged position in the latch to release the latch. In another embodiment, the spring acts directly to drive the latch pin from the engaged position to release the latch. While one such assembly is disclosed herein, it is most preferred that one such assembly be installed along each safety belt assembly of the vehicle.