Abstract: The flow control valve used in a variable displacement refrigerant compressor, which is incorporated in a refrigerating system, and arranged in a controlling passage fluidly interconnecting between a crank chamber and a discharge chamber or a suction chamber to regulate an opening formed in a predetermined portion of the controlling passage in a control characteristics in which when the discharge pressure of the refrigerant discharged from a discharge chamber of the compressor increases, the suction pressure of the refrigerant entering from the refrigerating system into a suction chamber increases. The flow control valve has a pressure sensing member for sensing of one of the suction and the crank-chamber pressure, and a valve element movable to increase and reduce the opening of the predetermined portion of the controlling passage on the basis of sensing of one of the suction and crank-chamber pressures by the pressure-sensing member.

Abstract: An installation structure of a rotation detector for detecting a rotation amount of a rotational shaft such as a kingpin. The installation structure prevents wear and damage to an input shaft of the rotation detector caused by a radial force applied to the input shaft and has high detection accuracy by eliminating slack between the rotational shaft and the input shaft. The rotation detector is fixed to a support member rotatably supporting the rotational shaft such that the input shaft is substantially coaxial with the rotational shaft. The input shaft is coupled to the rotational shaft through a rotation transmitting means. The rotation transmitting means permits the axis of the input shaft to be offset from the axis of the rotational shaft and limits relative rotation between the input shaft and the rotational shaft.

Abstract: Buoy (3) incorporates a release mechanism (5) that permits buoy (3) to be submersed and subsequently automatically released to ascend to the surface. Mechanism (5) includes cap (16) which hermetically seals a space (8) within which release unit (101) is located. Cap (16) is unitarily formed to include two jaws (28, 29) which are moveable relative to one another to release a pin (20). Movement of jaws (28, 29) is via release unit (101) acting to bias at least one jaw (28) away from the other jaw (29). Release unit (101) may be operated by a remotely transmitted signal, or initiated directly by a timer or a controller where specific circumstances dictate such a release (for example, the internal power source is near deplection). Buoy (3) can be attached to any submerged structure such as crab pot (7).

Abstract: Compositions and methods for modulating the activity of RNA and DNA are disclosed. In accordance with preferred embodiments, antisense compositions are prepared comprising targeting and reactive portions. Reactive portions which act, alternatively, through phosphorodiester bond cleavage, through backbone sugar bond cleavage or through base modification are preferrably employed. Groups which improve the pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic properties of the oligonucleotides are also useful in accordance with certain embodiments of this invention. Delivery of the reactive or non-reactive functionalities into the minor groove formed by the hybridization of the composition with the target RNA is also preferrably accomplished. Therapeutics, diagnostics and research methods and also disclosed. Synthetic nucleosides and nucleoside fragments are also provided useful for elaboration of oligonucleotides and oligonucleotide analogs for such purposes.

Abstract: A matrix bed is disclosed in which a non-planar reaction wave front is formed during operation. This is accomplished by heating the matrix bed, containing heat-resistant material, until at least a reaction portion of the matrix bed is above the temperature required for a plurality of reactant gas streams to react. Next, the reactant gas streams are directed through the matrix bed in a manner so as to form at least a Bunsen, Burke-Schumann, inverted-V, or some other type of non-planar reaction wave front at the portion of the matrix bed that is heated above the reactant gas streams reaction temperature. At the non-planar reaction wave front, the reactant gas streams react to produce a reaction product gas stream that is then exhausted from the matrix bed.

Abstract: A shoe and an improved method of shoe construction comprising an upper, an insole, a midsole, and an outsole, that are coupled together to form a housing for receiving a foot, and wherein the midsole is enveloped by the bottom ends of the upper, the insole, and the outsole to provide a more secure and stable fit of the shoe to the foot. The shoe is constructed to have the midsole of the shoe enveloped by the combination of the upper, insole, and outsole. This method of shoe construction results in a shoe having an improved fit because the midsole is pulled from the top and the bottom to provide improved fit, support, stability, and cushioning characteristics.

Abstract: A portable hand-held vane anemometer is disclosed in which a modular vane assembly is removably mounted within the casing of the instrument. Within the modular vane assembly is a rotatably mounted impeller shaft. The impeller assembly preferably can be removed and inserted into a cavity of the anemometer. Consequently, if the impeller, bearings or other components of the impeller assembly should become damaged, the modular impeller assembly can be quickly and easily replaced. The vane anemometer of this invention may also measure temperature dependent environmental parameters and may also have the ability to measure these parameters relatively quickly and accurately when moving from one thermal mass to another thermal mass. These environmental parameters may include ambient temperature, wind chill, humidity and heat index. In order to determine these parameters, the vane anemometer may have a temperature probe and a humidity sensor that are disposed external to the casing.

Abstract: Novel carbamate ester analogues or derivatives of Quercetin (prodrugs) are provided which have enhanced aqueous solubility and which are especially suitable for use as biodegradable prodrugs in pharmaceutical compositions formulated for clinical use.

Abstract: A storage media is disclosed and comprises a storage body and a readable indelible mark formed in the body such that portions thereof are indelibly altered. The mark is read by writing first data to the body in the region of the mark, and reading second data from the body in such region. The written first data is not accepted where the portions of the body are indelibly altered. Accordingly, the read second data corresponds to the written first data with segments thereof missing. The missing segments of the first data correspond to the portions of the body indelibly altered. In a preferred embodiment, the storage media comprises a magnetic rotatable disk having a substantially planar substrate and a magnetizable layer deposited thereon. The reading and writing are therefore performed magnetically.

Abstract: A rotatable steerable drill string in which guidance module controls the direction of the drilling. A magnetorheological fluid in the module supplies pressure to pistons that apply forces to the wall of the bore and thereby alter the direction of the drilling. The pressure applied by the magnetorheological fluid is regulated by valves that apply a magnetic field to the fluid so as to increase or decrease its fluid shear strength thereby controlling the actuation of the pistons and the direction of the drilling.

Abstract: A computer-based test creation system and method for generating test items. The test creation process includes creating items in electronic form and allowing access by a plurality of reviewers via a network. The reviewers may review the item for content, fairness and format, and collaborate with each other before indicating that the item is acceptable for inclusion in a test. After the administration of the items to test takers, item performance may be evaluated on-line by reviewing electronic feedback from the administrations and creating electronic evaluation reports. Since the items are created in an electronic form, the items may further include new forms of stimuli such as graphics and multimedia.

Abstract: A system and method for administering a composition problem in a language, such as English, to an examinee. The examinee is provided with textual items such as brief essays needing correction. The examinee selects a predetermined segment of the text and moves it to an editing window where the examinee may change the segment using standard word processing techniques. The segment may be deleted or modified and then replaced in the text. The examinee continues this process by selecting other predetermined text segments. When the examinee has finished selecting and editing all the segments that the examinee wishes to change, the examinee continues to the next textual item by, for example, pressing a “next” indicator. When all the textual items have been edited, scoring is performed by comparing the examinee's solutions to acceptable solutions stored in a database.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for defining circuit routing paths between electronic components on a substrate are disclosed. A method according to the invention includes associating one or more routing rules with connections between the components, wherein at least one of the routing rules is a minimum length routing rule; defining a first set of routing paths between the components while ignoring the minimum length routing rule; and modifying the first set of routing paths by enforcing the minimum length routing rule. Apparatus for defining circuit routing paths between components on a substrate includes a database and a routing engine that accepts the database as input. The database has an entry that includes a connection that is represented by a signal traveling between a start point and an end point on the substrate, and a set of routing rules associated with the connection. The set of routing rules includes at least a minimum length routing rule.

Abstract: A closure having a tamper-evident band secured to a container neck by a retaining band. The tamper-evident band is attached to the retaining band by a hinge so that the retaining band rotates upward about the hinge when the closure is applied to the neck of a container, causing the inner wall of the retaining band and the inner wall of the tamper-evident band to form a cavity therebetween. A number of rectangular openings are spaced around the circumference of the retaining band. The upper edge of each opening extends beyond the hinge and into the tamper-evident band. A recess in the inner wall of the tamper-evident band is located above each opening so that the lower edge of the recess intersects with the rear wall of the opening. The openings and recesses cooperate to ensure that any liquid that spills or splashes from the container neck into the cavity during capping will drain out.

Abstract: In a fitting structure of a control valve in a variable capacity compressor according to the present invention, a step portion 92 is formed by connecting two taper surfaces 93a and 93b, the diameter of each of which decreases progressively towards the depth of a fitting hole 32 (in an inserting direction of a control valve 33) between each step surface portion 57, 67, 74, 91 of a fitting hole 32. A first taper surface 93a at a deep part of each step portion 92 has a smaller inclination in the inserting direction than a second taper surface 93b on the inlet side. The first taper surface 93a is formed so that its inner diameter on the inlet side is a little greater than the outer diameter of each O-ring 61, 70, 77 disposed on each step surface portion 57, 67, 74 in a free condition.

Abstract: The specification discloses purine nucleotide analogues which modulate cardiac muscle contractility and possess vasodilator activity. In addition, related methods of administration and the identity of receptors that bind these compounds are disclosed.

Abstract: A shelf life indicating structure including a substrate printed with an oxygen sensitive ink in combination with an oxygen scavenging layer is disclosed. The oxygen scavenging layer prevents oxygen reaching the substrate for a predetermined interval. Once the finite oxygen scavenging capability of the layer is exhausted, oxygen reaches the substrate, thereby activating a visible indication such as a color change, in the ink. The substrate and layer may be formed into a patch or label for a package, and covered with an oxygen impermeable layer, such as a strip of aluminum foil which can be peeled off to initiate a shelf life indication structure. A method associated with the shelf life indicating structure is also provided.

Abstract: A disk cartridge has a rotary inner shell, or shutter, to permit access to a data-storage medium disposed within the shell. A driving-access opening is located in a bottom surface of the cartridge's outer shell to allow a drive mechanism to rotate the storage medium. A portion of the inner shell projects into the driving-access opening to aid in the rotational alignment of the shell. The outer shell has a wedge-shaped disk-access opening. The inner shell rotates over a predefined arc to expose the data storage medium via the disk-access opening. A liner is disposed between the inner and outer shells to reduce sliding friction between the shells.

Abstract: A blank (2) is molded for the manufacture of a multi-layer preform (1). The blank possesses protrusions (5). After the protrusions (5) have been brought to a plasticized state under the action of heat, those surfaces that contain protrusions (5) are covered by a layer of plasticized material. The blank (2) becomes connected to the layer (6) in the area of the protrusions (5). After cooling of the preform created from the blank (2) and the layer (6), the blank (2) will be connected with the layer (6) by means of microweld positions (7) in the area of the said protrusions (5). With that, delamination of the preform (1) during further processing or use will be effectively prevented.

Abstract: Chronic bolus administration of D-threo methylphenidate is provided. The administration of the D-threo isomer eliminates adverse side effects associated with the DL racemate, and provides improved effectiveness. The compositions and methods of the invention are useful in treating nervous system disorders including attention deficit disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and cognitive decline associated with systemic diseases such as acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.