Abstract: A cable manipulator includes a base and a plurality of plates attached to the base, each of the plurality of plates including a pair of cams attached to each plate. Each cam of the pair of cams is spaced from each other such that a length of cable can be inserted therebetween. At least one of the plurality of plates is a rotatable plate such that rotation of the rotatable plate causes an end of the cable to be moved closer to the cable manipulator.

Abstract: The invention comprises a device and method for impacting the behavior of invertebrates that infest wood, without the use of chemicals. In particular, the invention is useful for impacting the behavior of wood-boring invertebrates, which infest wood products, lumber and the woody portions of plants and trees. The invention utilizes acoustic (sonic) agents which may be optionally modulated with specific signals, to cause negative effects on the normal behaviors exhibited by wood-infesting invertebrates, which may result in the invertebrates being injured or killed, unable to reproduce, or caused to flee the wood that the invertebrates are infesting.

Abstract: Described are procedures that promote the accumulation and release of intracellular lipid bodies from zygospores of single-celled alga. This disclosure describes procedures for manipulating the progression or synchronization of the algae's life cycle, and for simplifying lipid extraction by promoting spontaneous release of intracellular lipid reserves. The approach is relevant to the commercial production of biodiesel and food supplements derived from fatty acids.

Abstract: An integrated electro-magnetohydrodynamic pump may include a flow channel adapted to contain a fluid to be pumped and a plurality of electrodes positioned adjacent the flow channel. A voltage controller operatively associated with the plurality of electrodes applies a voltage potential on the plurality of electrodes. A plurality of magnets are also positioned adjacent the flow channel. A voltage controller operatively associated with the plurality of magnets changes magnetic fields produced by the plurality of magnets with respect to the flow channel. The voltage controller and the magnet controller are operable to pump fluid contained in the flow channel by an electro-osmotic flow process and by a magnetohydrodynamic flow process.

Abstract: A cable manipulator includes a base and a plurality of plates attached to the base, each of the plurality of plates including a pair of cams attached to each plate. Each cam of the pair of cams is spaced from each other such that a length of cable can be inserted therebetween. At least one of the plurality of plates is a rotatable plate such that rotation of the rotatable plate causes an end of the cable to be moved closer to the cable manipulator.

Abstract: An actuator according to one embodiment of the present invention may include a fixed member and a free member. The free member is operatively engaged with the fixed member so that the free member is moveable with respect to the fixed member. The actuator also includes means for moving the free member with respect to the fixed member. An elastic element operatively associated with the free member and the fixed member is operable to store energy without a change in an overall length of the actuator.

Abstract: An integrated electro-magnetohydrodynamic pump may include a flow channel adapted to contain a fluid to be pumped and a plurality of electrodes positioned adjacent the flow channel. Voltage control means operatively associated with the plurality of electrodes applies a voltage potential on the plurality of electrodes. A plurality of magnets are also positioned adjacent the flow channel. Magnet control means operatively associated with the plurality of magnets changes magnetic fields produced by the plurality of magnets with respect to the flow channel. The voltage control means and the magnet control means are operable to pump fluid contained in the flow channel by an electro-osmotic flow process and by a magnetohydrodynamic flow process.

Abstract: MLVA methods for strain discrimination among Mycobacterium tuberculosum strains are disclosed. Nine VNTR loci have been identified from genomic sequences of Mycobacterium tuberculosum strains and primer pairs suitable for amplifying the VNTR by PCR are disclosed. Polymorphisms at these loci were used to resolve genotypes into distinct groups. This sub-typing scheme is useful for the epidemiological study of Mycobacterium tuberculosum and may be applied to the local detection of the pathological causative agent of tuberculosum.