Abstract: A ribbon drive power generation system and method is disclosed. The system is equipped with an extended tube having an intake at a first end and an outlet at a second end. A ribbon formed of helical coils is mounted in the tube for rotation and the frequency of the coils increases from the first end to the second end of the tube. Moving water is directed into the first end, an axial component of momentum of the water is decreased via the rotating ribbon, and the rotation is used to induce electricity or drive an electrical generator. The scalability and modular nature of the present invention allow flexible implementation.

Abstract: A ribbon drive pumping apparatus and method for liquids is disclosed. The pump has an extended tube having an intake at a first end and an outlet at a second end. A ribbon formed of helical coils is mounted in the tube for rotation and the frequency of the coils decreases from the first end to the second end of the tube. Liquid is collected at the first end, an axial component of velocity of the liquid is increased via the rotating ribbon, and the liquid is ejected from the second end to provide pumping of the liquid. A central opening helps decrease cavitation.

Abstract: A point of sale system designed to accept payer account number input with a subsequent debiting of a payer account and crediting merchant's account for the goods or services provided. Point of sale terminals are designed to accept bank account information by manually keying, MICR reading of a payer check, OCR reading of a payer check, magnetic stripe reading of a payer debit card, or electronic reading of a payer smart card. Thereafter, the transaction information is transmitted to a central computer system which stores the transaction event information for subsequent bank reconciliation via the ACH or other competing network. The invention eliminates the need for paper checks with all bank reconciliation being accomplished electronically. Additionally, there is no need for the present system to retain the check after verification.

Abstract: A twist-lock connector assembly for securing an engaged electrical plug to an electrical outlet which includes a rotatable cylindrical sleeve for enclosing an electrical plug and a modified cover plate for replacing the conventional cover plate of an electrical outlet, such as a wall socket or a portable power box. The forward end of the rotatable sleeve includes a plurality of external thread members. Each socket hole of the cover plate includes an inner cylindrical wall having a plurality of radially inwardly projecting nubs formed thereon. In use, the electrical plug is inserted into the socket portion of the wall outlet and the cylindrical sleeve is rotated about a ¼ turn. This causes the external threads on the rotatable sleeve to lockingly engaged the nubs disposed surrounding the socket opening(s) of the cover plate and thereby prevent the electrical plug from being accidentally pulled loose from the outlet by its connection with cover plate.

Abstract: A polyolefin shrink film having high shrinkage and low shrink force. The film has a core layer formed from a polymer of ethylene with a melting point of greater than 100° C., outer layers of a homopolymer of ethylene or propylene or an ethylene/alpha-olefin copolymer. The film is not irradiated. The film may be used in the packaging of articles subject to breakage, distortion or deformation if packaged in shrink films with higher shrink force.

Abstract: Augmentation of electrical conduction and contractility by biphasic stimulation of muscle tissue. A first stimulation phase has a first phase polarity, amplitude, and duration. The first stimulation phase, which acts as a conditioning mechanism, is administered at no more than a maximum subthreshold amplitude. A second stimulation phase has a second polarity, amplitude, and duration. The two phases are applied sequentially. Contrary to current thought, anodal stimulation is applied as the first stimulation phase, followed by cathodal stimulation as the second stimulation phase. In this fashion, pulse conduction through muscle is improved, together with an increase in contractibility. Furthermore, this mode of biphasic stimulation reduces the electrical energy required to elicit contraction. In addition, the conditioning first stimulation phase decreases the stimulation threshold by reducing the amount of electrical current required for the second stimulation phase to elicit contraction.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine and method is disclosed wherein separate compression and power cylinders are used and a regenerator or pair of regenerators is mounted between them to provide heat for hot-air ignition. The single regenerator embodiment operates as a two-stroke cycle engine and the embodiment with an alternating pair of regenerators operates as a four-stroke cycle engine. Valving is provided for uniflow design and the system allows variable fuel ratios. The resulting engine achieves brake efficiency and thermal efficiency greater than 50%.

Abstract: Augmentation of electrical conduction and contractility by biphasic cardiac pacing. A first stimulation phase is administered to the cardiac blood pool. This first stimulation phase has a predefined polarity, amplitude and duration. A second stimulation phase is then administered to the cardiac blood pool. This second phase also has a predefined polarity, amplitude and duration. The two phases are applied sequentially. Contrary to current thought, anodal stimulation is first applied and followed by cathodal stimulation. In this fashion, pulse conduction through the cardiac muscle is improved together with the increase in contractility.

Abstract: A system and method for non-destructive examination of parts using three-dimensional CT imagery. The system comprises a computer controlled x-ray source, a scintillator screen, and an amorphous silicon sensor array, which electronically records and transmits a series of images taken from different angles back to the computer system having a CAD/CAM software program. The part being examined is stored as a CAD/CAM record. The various images from the silicon sensor array are stored in the computer system and reconstructed as a three-dimensional CT image. That CT image is converted to the CAD/CAM coordinate space so a comparison between the CT image and the stored drawing of the part being examined may be made to detect any defects in the part. The overlaid or superimposed images are displayed for an analyst so that determination of a defect and a location can be made.

Abstract: The present invention is for a system for tracking and graphically displaying the positions of vehicles in a fleet, and interacting with the vehicles from a base station. The vehicles in the fleet are equipped with a G.P.S. receiver and communicate the G.P.S. information to a base station. A receiver at the base station receives the information. A computer system connected to the receiver then uses this information to display the position of the vehicle using mapping and tracking software. The system also includes update software which updates text data in a database, updates the graphical representation of the vehicle, and bidirectionally and dynamically links and integrates the text data with the graphical representation of a vehicle. The text data in the database includes information relating to the vehicle, the driver, the schedule of the fleet as well as information relating to the fleet.

Abstract: Atrial sensing and stimulation as intervention for atrial fibrillation. The present invention relates to a method of atrial defibrillation using an implanted electronic stimulator. In a variety of protocols varying combinations of conventional and biphasic stimulation are applied at threshold and sub-threshold levels. In a preferred embodiment, the implantable electronic stimulator of the present invention includes multiple electrodes having stimulating and sensing capabilities. The small size of these electrodes allows for intravenous insertion into the patient.

Abstract: Augmentation of electrical conduction and contractility by biphasic cardiac pacing. A first stimulation phase is administered to the muscle tissue. This first stimulation phase has a predefined polarity, amplitude and duration. A second stimulation phase is then administered to the muscle tissue. This second phase also has a predefined polarity, amplitude and duration. The two phases are applied sequentially. Contrary to current thought, anodal stimulation is first applied and followed by cathodal stimulation. In this fashion, pulse conduction through the cardiac muscle is improved together with the increase in contractility. The technique can also be applied to large muscle tissue stimulation other than cardiac muscle.

Abstract: Tumor growth and metastasis can be inhibited by administration of adenosine A1 and/or A3 antagonists, preferably A3 antagonists, to a patient. The antagonists can be, and preferably are, administered in combination with other anti-tumor agents, such as anti-angiogenic agents (including adenosine A2a antagonists) and/or cytotoxic agents. Because the cytotoxic agents attack the tumor cells themselves, and the anti-angiogenic agents prevent the growth of vasculature which would otherwise support the growth of the tumor cells.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compounds of formulas (IA), (IB), and (IC): the preparation thereof, pharmaceutical formulations thereof, and their use in medicine as allosteric adenosine receptor modulators for uses including protection against hypoxia and ischemia induced injury and treatment of adenosine-sensitive cardiac arrhythmias.

Abstract: A screen operator or artificial finger tip for entering commands and data into a personal data device, such as an electronic notebook, by contacting the screen of the personal data device. The screen operator comprises a partially rigid base that encircles the finger, generally conforming to the finger, and a rigid tip member which projects forwardly from the base to contact the screen. The extreme tip of the tip member is of reduced diameter at the point of contact with the screen. The base is tubular (preferably with a gap) and resiliently grips the finger. A hook member extends downwardly and back from the tip member to engage the underside of the user's finger tip. The hook member functions to retain the screen operator on the user's finger tip.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for using a metaphor elicitation technique in conjunction with physiological function monitoring to elicit, organize and analyze data pertaining to a research topic. The metaphor elicitation technique process and apparatus is improved with the acquisition of data related to a user's physiological functioning. This data provides further insight and understanding which can be used in creating an appropriate marketing campaign for a product, improving inter-office communications and determining the presence of pre-existing biases or beliefs.

Abstract: A pin puller combines an actuator with an anti-friction release mechanism, according to a bilaterally symmetric geometry. The anti-friction tension release mechanism ensures that only negligible friction forces need to be overcome to operate the tension release mechanism. Thus, the actuator is isolated from the large tension force that bears on the tension release mechanism. The bilateral symmetric aspect of the structure provides for mechanical redundancy, so that, in the event that one half of the pin puller fails, it is sufficient that the other half operate properly for the tension to be successfully released. This pin puller avoids premature release because it is not susceptible to static electricity or electromagnetic radiation. The pin puller also avoids generation of large shock waves due to its slow speed of operation and because of the gradual release interaction of mechanical parts within the anti-friction release mechanism.