Abstract: A number of embodiments of flower pots are disclosed. The pots include a transparent or transluent panel or cylindrical portion which exhibit a pattern when one or more light sources are provided behind the panels or cylindrical portions.

Abstract: A variable gradient control stick force feel adjustment system for use in aircraft is disclosed. A gradient actuator is operationally coupled to at least one spring cartridge assembly in order to move the pivot point of the spring cartridge assembly with respect to the aircraft's directional hardware so that the tension of at least one manual control stick onboard the aircraft can be adjusted. At least one operational parameter input is provided to the gradient actuator from at least one of the aircraft's onboard control devices in order to effect a change in pivot point for the spring cartridge assembly.

Abstract: A planarized signal communications system (110) embedded within a printed circuit board (102) is disclosed, comprising first (118) and second (120) index buffer layers within the printed circuit board, a polymer waveguide (116) disposed below the first and above the second index buffer layers, an electrical-to-optical transmitter (122) disposed within the first index buffer layer in direct adjoinment with the polymer waveguide, a reflective element (126) disposed within the polymer waveguide in direct alignment with the electrical-to-optical transmitter and adapted to reflect optical energy from the electrical-to-optical transmitter along the polymer waveguide, an optical-to-electrical receiver (124) disposed within the first index buffer layer and in direct adjoinment with the polymer waveguide, a reflective element (126) disposed within the polymer waveguide in direct alignment with the optical-to-electrical receiver and adapted to reflect optical energy from within the polymer waveguide to the optical-to-e

Abstract: A method for making a pure buffalo yarn is disclosed and includes the steps of, scouring a buffalo fleece with detergent and water at a temperature of at least 80 degrees centigrade to clean the fleece, dehairing the buffalo fleece to remove unwanted course hair from the fleece to produce dehaired fine soft fibers, blending the dehaired fine soft fibers with an oil and water emulsion in a mixing picker to produce a mixed fiber, carding the mixed fiber to produce a roving of straight and parallel fibers, spinning the roving to produce a yarn and twisting the yarn to increase the bulk and softness of the yarn.

Abstract: A method of binding a recognition element to a gold surface (24) comprising the steps of attaching a GBP-AP protein (10) to a gold surface (24), digesting away the AP domain of the protein (10) with a proteolytic enzyme from the bound GBP domain (12) attached to the gold surface (24), and attaching a recognition element, such as Protein A (52) or an antibody 72, antigen, nucleic acid or other binding partner to the GBP domain (12) which remains on the gold surface (24), is disclosed.

Abstract: A fluid level indicator (22) indicating the level of a fluid (14) in a chamber (12) having a piston (16) is disclosed. The fluid level indicator (12) has a housing (24) that is positioned adjacent to the chamber (12). A plurality of magnetic pins (28, 38) are moveably disposed within the housing (24). The magnetic pins (28, 38) have a first position and a second position. At least one of the magnetic pins (38) shifts from the first position to the second position when the piston (16) is aligned therewith, thereby indicating the position of the piston (16) within the chamber (12) and indicating the level of fluid (14) within the chamber (12).

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods for gene identification, as well as drug discovery and assessment. In particular, the present invention provides components of an E3 complex involved in ubiquitination of cell cycle regulators and other proteins, as well as members of a class of proteins that directly function in recognition of ubiquitination targets. The present invention also provides sequences of multiple F-box proteins.

Abstract: An electric drive device for a bicycle includes a motor connected to a speed reduction device which has a bevel gear engaged with an annular gear mounted to a rotatable tube that extends through the bottom bracket of the bicycle frame. A crank axle rotatably extends through the rotatable tube with a first unidirectional device connected between the crank axle and the rotatable tube. The annular gear has a plurality of notches defined in the inside thereof and a second unidirectional device is connected between the annular gear and the rotatable tube. The second unidirectional device has a socket with a plurality of pawls pivotally connected thereto which are engaged with the notches when the motor is actuated to drive the rotatable tube while the first unidirectional device releases the connection between the crank axle and the rotatable tube.

Abstract: A redundant ice management system and method to de-ice and anti-ice an aircraft member (150) is provided. The system comprising a primary ice management sub-system (154) for providing thermal ice management to the aircraft member and a secondary ice management sub-system (172) for providing back-up thermal ice management to the aircraft member (150) in the event of a failure by the primary ice management sub-system (154). The system provides primary and secondary de-ice and anti-ice capabilities to the aircraft member (150) before and during airborne operation.

Abstract: A self-lock and self-retained structural fastener assembly (10) is disclosed. The fastener assembly (10) comprises a plate member (12) having an opening (14) and a pair of receivers (16, 18). A retainer (20) that has a threaded opening (22), a pair of oppositely disposed spring fingers (24, 26) and a pair of oppositely disposed hooks (28, 30) is coupled to the plate member (12) by lockably inserting the hooks (28, 30) within the receivers (16, 18) of the plate member (12) to form a fastener housing (32). A stud (34) is rotatably positioned within the fastener housing (32). The stud (34) has a boss (36) and first and second threaded sections (38, 40) extending in opposite directions from the boss (36). The stud (34) has an uninstalled position wherein the first threaded section (38) is threadably engaged with the threaded opening (22) of the retainer (20).

Abstract: A method and system for creating a precision approach for an aircraft to a position on the ground from a location above the ground is disclosed. The system comprises a display unit onboard the aircraft that displays a digital moving map, a database onboard the aircraft that contains digital terrain elevation data and obstacle data, a global positioning receiver that identifies the in flight position of the aircraft and an input device use to select the position on the ground displayed on the digital moving map. A processor that is also onboard the aircraft is communicably linked to the display unit, the database and the global positioning receiver. The processor generates the digital moving map on the display unit from the digital terrain elevation data and obstacle data and creates an approach derived from global positioning system data for the aircraft to the position on the ground selected on the digital moving map based upon the in flight position of the aircraft.

Abstract: The invention presents a residual water treatment plant for small flows, characterized by the combination of a primary sedimentation zone followed by anoxic and aerobic packed zones, placed serially all of them, with packing, alternating descending and ascending flows and aerated according to the oxygen requirement, there being a recirculation of treated water with sedimented mud between the secondary sedimentator and the first anoxic compartment or primary sedimentation zone, which produces treated water with enough quality for reutilization activities, after prior disinfecting (for example, watering, automobile-washing, flushing of sanitary facilities, floor-washing, and so forth). The plant requires the use of a low energy consumption air compressor, especially specified to minimize its maintenance and noise. The treatment microplant has a compact design, which requires a small area (of the size of a water cistern for 1100L, 1.

Abstract: The invention relates to a connector for a fiber optic cable. The connector has at least three clamps which respectively clamp the outer and the inner cover and also the filament of the fiber optic cable. Due to the engagement with the outer cover, the inner cover and the filament of the fiber optic cable, the connector of the invention is able to secure the alignment of two different filaments when connection therebetween is necessary.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for cooling the exterior of a toaster oven. The toaster oven has a cooking chamber and a product slide within an exterior casing. Outside air is forced into a channel formed between (1) the product slide and the exterior casing and (2) the cooking chamber and a corresponding portion of the exterior casing. The forced air is then directed out of the channel into a food pre-heating area outside the cooking chamber.

Abstract: The present invention is a micromixing apparatus for creating a closer union of fuel and air molecules, in combination with an internal combustion engine and fuel supply, that includes a variable width cylinder designed to fit within a housing, the interior and exterior of the cylinder defining at least two paths; and a variable width interior core positioned within the variable width cylinder, whereby fuel and air molecules that travel along the length of the variable width cylinder and interior core change in speed and volume as they travel through the at least two paths defined by the cylinder and the interior core.

Abstract: A cooling system for the head, neck, and spine to reduce swelling caused by trauma to the brain is disclosed comprising a head device having a front panel and a back panel, a neck brace supporting the head device using a front rigid member and a back rigid member, and a cooling medium that cools the head device when activated.

Abstract: A portable air blower includes a housing having an air inlet and an air outlet, a fan rotatably mounted in the housing, a gear train attached to the housing to rotate the fan, a drive shaft having a first end and a second end, the first end secured to the gear train to operate the gear train, and a crank arm secured to the second end of the drive shaft to rotate the drive shaft manually.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and computer program for managing data by storing one or more data records in a database, creating a management plan having one or more states, selecting one or more data records from the database and assigning each of the selected data records to an initial state in the management plan, updating the values of the one or more elements of each data record with new data, and moving each selected data record to the next state whenever the trigger value matches the updated value of the trigger element. Each data record has one or more elements. Each state has one or more rules. Each rule has a trigger element, a trigger value and a next state.

Abstract: An umbrella is disclosed that has a panel and a frame that has a shaft, an upper nest and a main runner movably mounted on the shaft. A plurality of main ribs having one end pivotally attached to the upper nest. A plurality of stretchers having one end pivotally attached to the main runner and the other end pivotally attached to the corresponding main rib to support the main rib. A secondary runner is movably mounted on the shaft between the upper nest and the main runner, and a plurality of secondary ribs, which are shorter than the main ribs, correspondingly have one end pivotally attached to the secondary runner and the other end attached to the free end of the corresponding main rib. Whereby the umbrella frame is strengthened enough to resist a strong wind.