Abstract: A gas meter gas a conduit for passage of a gas flow; an ioniser arranged to ionise the gas flow in the conduit; a modulating electrode structure arranged for modulating the ion distribution in the ionised gas flow; and at least a detecting electrode structure downstream of the modulating electrode structure arranged for detecting the modulated ion distribution in the ionised gas flow. The modulating electrode structure is arranged downstream of the ioniser and is configured to generate an electrical field which is substantial in a parallel to the direction of the gas flow.

Abstract: The invention relates to a drive system for motor vehicles comprising a waste heat-producing internal combustion engine and a circuit for draining off at least partially said waste heat with a working fluid which is relievable in an expansion machine, wherein said working fluid comprises several components, wherein at least one component is transferable into a gas phase by absorbing heat of the internal combustion engine and/or another source inside the drive system which also comprises means for separating the liquid fraction from the working fluid prior to the expansion machine pressure removal. The internal combustion engine can be cooled by a first cooling circuit. A second cooling circuit can be used in such a way that the first cooling circuit is cooled thereby.

Abstract: A reductive cross coupling reaction process for functionalization of a nucleophilic alkene can be achieved. The nucleophilic alkene and a nucleophilic cross coupling partner compound can be reacted in the presence of an oxidizable alcohol and a suitable catalyst to form a reductive coupling product. Various additives can also be useful to refine the process such as by mitigating certain undesirable intermediates, facilitating specific site selectivity for various substitutions or reaction sites, etc. Chiral additives can be optionally used which act to provide asymmetric catalysis, e.g. allow for regioselective and stereoselective production of reductive coupling products. A reductive cross coupling pathway can include oxidizing the oxidizable alcohol to form a catalyst hydride. The nucleophilic alkene can be inserted into the catalyst hydride to form a catalyst-alkyl intermediate.

Abstract: A wheelchair propulsion and braking system (10) includes at least one clutch engagement disk rotatably couplable to a wheelchair frame (14). The clutch engagement disk (32) includes a gear (38) that is rotatable with the clutch engagement disk (32), and a drive chain (40) disposed around the gear (38). A drive wheel (50) is rotatably attachable to a wheel (22) of the wheelchair (12), and operatively attachable to the drive chain (40). The system also includes at least one lever arm (60) that is rotatably couplable to the wheelchair frame (14). The at least one lever arm (60) includes a handle (62) operatively coupled to an upper end (64) of the lever arm (60). The handle (62) is oriented in an accessible position during use. A pair of calipers (70) is operatively coupled to each lever arm (60), and engageable with the at least one clutch engagement disk (32). An actuator (80) is operatively coupled to the handle (62) to actuate the calipers (70), and to engage the clutch engagement disk (32).

Abstract: The present invention is drawn to disinfectant systems and methods which can be used to produce a disinfectant solution. The system can include a first liquid composition and a second liquid composition. The first liquid composition comprises from 0.0005 ppm to 100,000 ppm by weight of a transition metal or alloy and an alcohol, and the second liquid composition comprises water and a peroxygen compound. The first and second liquid compositions are formulated to be combined so as to yield a resultant disinfectant solution. The disinfectant solution can be used to disinfect a variety of surfaces and even liquid compositions.

Abstract: A marking device for marking the location for a support for a mountable object, such as a picture frame, has a body with a compressible configuration and adhesive for removably attaching a back face to a backside of the mountable object. A marker is coupled to the body and disposed below a front face in an uncompressed configuration and projects at least to the front face to mark the surface in the compressed configuration. The marker is disposed adjacent a perimeter edge of the body to facilitate alignment. A sighting notch can be formed in the body with the marker at the apex of the notch to facilitate alignment.

Abstract: A high voltage power supply for use in small diameter spaces such as in oil well logging devices includes an AC voltage source and a voltage multiplier circuit. An inside set of parallel capacitors is constructed with an inside common capacitor electrode, an inside dielectric material around the outside of the inside common capacitor electrode, and individual inside capacitor electrodes formed of conductive material positioned around the outside of the inside dielectric material. An outside set of parallel capacitors is constructed with a hollow outside common capacitor electrode with a central internal hollow space, an outside dielectric material around the inside of the outside common capacitor electrode, and individual outside capacitor electrodes formed of conductive material positioned around the inside of the outside dielectric material. The inside set of parallel capacitors fits concentrically inside the outside set of parallel capacitors.

Abstract: Semiconductor-on-diamond (SOD) substrates and methods for making such substrates are provided. In one aspect, a method of making an SOD substrate may include depositing a base layer onto a lattice-orienting silicon (Si) substrate such that the base layer lattice is substantially oriented by the Si substrate, depositing a semiconductor layer onto the base layer such that the semiconductor layer lattice is substantially oriented with respect to the base layer lattice, and disposing a layer of diamond onto the semiconductor layer. The base layer may include numerous materials, including, without limitation, aluminum phosphide (Alp), boron arsenide (BAs), gallium nitride (GaN), indium nitride (InN), and combinations thereof. Additionally, the method may further include removing the lattice-orienting Si substrate and the base layer from the semiconductor layer. In one aspect, the Si substrate may be of a single crystal orientation.

Abstract: A muffler for attenuating acoustic noise in a gas flow that includes a casing having a substantially-rectangular cross-section with an inlet opening in an inlet end and an outlet opening in an outlet end, so that a gas flow containing acoustic noise passes from the inlet opening to the outlet opening. The muffler also includes a V-shaped sound diffuser disposed within the casing and spanning the distance between opposing top and bottom walls of the casing. The sound diffuser comprises a pair of elongate leg plates having base ends attached to the outlet end on opposite sides of the outlet opening, and tip ends merged into an apex that is aligned with the inlet opening. Each leg plate has a plurality of apertures formed therein, and the apex splits the inlet gas flow into two side flows, with each side flow passing through the plurality of apertures in one of the leg plates to reach the outlet opening.

Abstract: A method for the early diagnosis of pancreatic cancer and other gastrointestinal disease compares the gene expression patterns from a patient's peripheral blood monocytes-lymphocyte's gene system with either the similar gene expression patterns of a normal person, or with the similar gene expression patterns of a person known to have the condition being screened for. Differences between the patient's gene expression patterns for particular genes and the normal patterns indicates the presence of the condition with the number of differences indicating the probability of the condition. Similarities between the patient's gene expression patterns for those particular genes and the patterns of a person known to have the condition indicates the presence of the condition with the number of similarities indicating the probability of the condition. Particular genes for use in identifying pancreatic cancer are disclosed.

Abstract: A laparoscopic surgical instrument configured to be ergonomic and anthropometrically correct, the laparoscopic surgical instrument comprising: (a) an ergonomic handle configured to orient a hand of a surgeon in a functional position, the handle comprising a handle grip; (b) an actuating mechanism actuatable by a finger and supported by the handle, the actuating mechanism comprising an actuator shaft and a gearing assembly operable to displace the actuator shaft with a mechanical advantage upon actuation of a trigger by the surgeon; (c) a locking mechanism configured to lock the actuating mechanism in one of a plurality of positions, the locking mechanism comprising a release located in an anthropometrically correct position; and (d) a working shaft having a proximal end coupled to and operable with the actuator shaft, the working shaft having an elongate configuration and a distal working end configured to couple a surgical tool to be manipulated by the surgeon via the handle and the actuating mechanism to pe

Abstract: A wireless device is capable of communicating within a local area network (LAN) and a personal area network (PAN) concurrently, using a single wireless networking module or circuit. A wireless access point within an infrastructure-based network is used to manage the creation, maintenance, and termination of PANs within the LAN framework.

Abstract: Machine-readable media, methods, apparatus and system for allocating power in a MU-MIMO communicating system are described. In some embodiments, an apparatus of a base station in the MU-MIMO communication system may comprise: a power calculating logic to calculate a power for each user of a plurality of users communicating with the base station in the MU-MIMO system, based upon an average power and a power increment. The power calculating logic may further comprise an average power logic to calculate the average power among the plurality of users based upon a total power for the base station to communicate with the plurality of users, and a power increment logic to determine the power increment for the each user based upon at least one of a fairness algorithm and a throughput algorithm, and wherein different users of the plurality of users having different long-term signal to interference plus noise ratios (SINRs) are calculated with different powers.

Abstract: A piston pump with a piston coaxially slidable in a chamber for dispensing fluid out of a discharge tube which extends normal to the axis about which the piston is slidable in the chamber with a stroke stop member rotatably journalled on the discharge tube for pivoting between different positions in which the stroke stop member limits inward sliding of the piston into the chamber to different extents.

Abstract: The present invention is drawn to disinfectant or sterilant compositions, which are human safe, e.g., food grade or food safe. In one embodiment, an aqueous disinfectant or sterilant composition can comprise an aqueous vehicle, including water, from 0.001 wt % to 50 wt % of a peracid, and from 0.001 wt % to 25 wt % of a peroxide. Additionally, from 0.001 ppm to 50,000 ppm by weight of a transition metal based on the aqueous vehicle content can also be present. The composition can be substantially free of aldehydes. Alternatively or additionally, the transition metal can be in the form of a colloidal transition metal.

Abstract: The present invention is drawn to water-soluble compositions for providing hops constituents, particularly alpha acids, iso-alpha acids, and beta acids. A pharmaceutical gel composition can comprise a hops extract and a surfactant. Such compositions can be formulated into products for various therapeutic applications, including oral and topical uses. Such compositions can also be dissolved in water to yield a clear solution containing more dilute hops acids. The invention also provides methods of treatment comprising administering water-soluble hops compositions. The present invention is also drawn to methods for making water-soluble preparations of hops constituents.

Abstract: Nutritional formulations and methods for imparting positive health benefits to a subject are disclosed and described. In particular, methods and nutritional formulations for providing increased absorption of antioxidants are taught. In some aspects, the nutritional formulation can include Gac fruit extract in combination with at least one other antioxidant. Such nutritional formulations can in some respects produce enhanced or synergistic results with respect to the amount of antioxidants absorbed by a subject.