Abstract: A method and apparatus for performing data collection within a device is disclosed. A device steers a scanning probe in a continuous, non-raster pattern across a specimen. The specimen is supported by a stage, and data is collected in response to interaction between the probe and the specimen to form a data set. Spiral scanning patterns without turnaround regions are utilized in embodiments of the present invention, both with and without rounded corners in the scanning patterns.

Abstract: A method and system provides computerized high-rate image processing. Each detecting element receives electromagnetic radiation and produces an electrical detection signal according to an amount of electromagnetic radiation received on the respective detecting element. The electrical detection signals of each detection element corresponding to an assigned region of interest in the field of view. The electrical detection signals of all detecting elements assigned to the same region of interest are summed to produce an output signal.

Abstract: The invention provides isolated nucleic acids and their encoded proteins that are involved in tocopherol or plastoquinone biosynthesis. The invention further provides recombinant expression cassettes, host cells, transgenic plants, and antibody compositions. The present invention provides methods and compositions relating to altering phytyl/prenyltransferase protein content and/or composition of plants.

Abstract: A precipitation measuring system comprising a top thermal plate positioned to maximize exposure to falling precipitation and includes at least one ridge circumscribing the top surface for capturing precipitation. A second thermal plate is positioned under the top thermal plate to protect it from falling precipitation while still exposing it to the same atmospheric temperature and wind conditions. At least one solar radiation sensor is connected to the precipitation measuring system to measure solar radiation contacting at least one of the top and bottom thermal plates. During a precipitation event, the top and bottom thermal plates are maintained at a constant temperature and a power consumption curve for each thermal plate is quantified. The precipitation rate is measured by the difference in the power consumption curve for the top thermal plate and the power consumption curve for the bottom thermal plate.

Abstract: A precipitation measuring system comprising a top thermal plate positioned to maximize exposure to falling precipitation and includes at least one ridge circumscribing the top surface for capturing precipitation. A second thermal plate is positioned under the top thermal plate to protect it from falling precipitation while still exposing it to the same atmospheric temperature and wind conditions. At least one solar radiation sensor is connected to the precipitation measuring system to measure solar radiation contacting at least one of the top and bottom thermal plates. During a precipitation event, the top and bottom thermal plates are maintained at a constant temperature and a power consumption curve for each thermal plate is quantified. The precipitation rate is measured by the difference in the power consumption curve for the top thermal plate and the power consumption curve for the bottom thermal plate.

Abstract: A system and method for executing random pulse width modulation in electronic power converters. In accordance with this invention, the sampling period of sampling cycles for pulse width modulation remains constant while the period of switching cycles are varied. The periods of switching cycles are varied using random numbers to calculate delays between the start of coincident sampling and switching cycles.

Abstract: A method and system provides computerized high-rate image processing. Each detecting element receives electromagnetic radiation and produces an electrical detection signal according to an amount of electromagnetic radiation received on the respective detecting element. The electrical detection signals of each detection element corresponding to an assigned region of interest in the field of view. The electrical detection signals of all detecting elements assigned to the same region of interest are summed to produce an output signal.

Abstract: Methods for rendering a cyanide or cyanide-containing compound substantially insoluble in an aqueous solution or suspension of cyanide-containing materials comprising: mixing a reagent comprising a thiosulfate salt with said solution or suspension; and adding to said material a complexing agent selected from the group consisting of divalent copper salts, divalent iron salts, divalent cobalt salts, activated carbon and mixtures of the foregoing are provided.

Abstract: A precipitation measuring system comprising a top thermal plate positioned to maximize exposure to falling precipitation and includes at least one ridge circumscribing the top surface for capturing precipitation. A second thermal plate is positioned under the top thermal plate to protect it from falling precipitation while still exposing it to the same atmospheric temperature and wind conditions. At least one solar radiation sensor is connected to the precipitation measuring system to measure solar radiation contacting at least one of the top and bottom thermal plates. During a precipitation event, the top and bottom thermal plates are maintained at a constant temperature and a power consumption curve for each thermal plate is quantified. The precipitation rate is measured by the difference in the power consumption curve for the top thermal plate and the power consumption curve for the bottom thermal plate.

Abstract: A method and system provides computerized high-rate image processing. Each detecting element receives electromagnetic radiation and produces an electrical detection signal according to an amount of electromagnetic radiation received on the respective detecting element. The electrical detection signals of each detection element corresponding to an assigned region of interest in the field of view. The electrical detection signals of all detecting elements assigned to the same region of interest are summed to produce an output signal.

Abstract: Magnetorheological materials are provided comprising magnetic particles, a polymeric gel and a carrier material. The polymerization of the gel is preferentially accomplished in the presence of the magnetic particles and the carrier material. Magnetorheological materials are provided having a selected off-state viscosity and a selected on-state apparent viscosity. The method of preparing these magnetorheological materials is also provided. The carrier material, the polymeric gel and the magnetic particles are selected so that the resulting magnetorheological material has the desired off-state viscosity and on-state apparent viscosity. These materials have good dispersion characteristics, reduced settling, superior off-state viscosity and superior apparent viscosity in the presence of a magnetic field.

Abstract: A damper includes a housing, a piston, and a magneto-rheological (MR) fluid. The piston is movably disposed within the housing such that the piston divides an interior of the housing into first and second cavities and a passage defined in the piston couples the first and second cavities. The passage includes at least a disk shape space within the piston defined between by two substantially parallel surfaces. The MR fluid damps motion of the piston by a flow of MR fluid through the passage, and a magnet produces a magnetic field within at least the disk shape space of the passage.

Abstract: A process for removing or stabilizing arsenic and/or selenium from aqueous streams or slurries is provided that includes contacting the streams or slurry with a composition containing lanthanum chloride. The lanthanum chloride composition can optionally contain various lanthanides. The composition can optionally contain ferric or ferrous sulfate. The process is preferably conducted by adjusting the pH of solution to between about 8 or 10, adding 2 moles of lanthanum chloride for every mole of arsenic or selenium ions present in solution, adding 5 to 6 moles ferric or ferrous ions for every mole of arsenic or selenium ions present in solution and adjusting the oxidation potential of the solution to between 200-400 mV for removal of selenium ions and between 100-200 mV for removal of arsenic ions.

Abstract: A controllable magneto-rheological damper includes a housing; a piston moly disposed in the housing; a cavity defined by the housing and the piston; a passage fluidically coupled to the cavity; a magneto-rheological fluid contained within the cavity, wherein motion of the piston is damped by flow of the magneto-rheological fluid through the passage; and a magnet disposed to produce a magnetic field within the passage with field lines essentially parallel to the passage.

Abstract: The specification describes a methylation resin comprising methyl(dialkyl)anilinium salts or methyl(diaryl)anilinium salts covalently bonded to the resin. The methylation resin is used in the solid-phase synthesis of codeine from morphine. Accordingly, the specification describes a process for methylating morphine to form codeine by loading morphine onto a methylation resin comprising methyl(dialkyl)anilinium salts or methyl(diaryl)anilinium salts covalently bonded to the resin; contacting the loaded resin with sufficient hydrocarbon or ether solvent to cover the loaded resin; and heating the loaded resin in the hydrocarbon or ether solvent under sufficient conditions to form codeine. The methylating resin may be used to methylate phenolic moieties on other compounds and to esterify compounds containing carboxylic acid moieties.

Abstract: A method for removing a selected heavy metal ion from an aqueous solution is provided herein. Said method comprises contacting the solution with collophane at a pH effective for capture of the selected heavy metal ion by the collophane. Heavy metal ions include Sb.sup.2+, As.sup.3+, Cd.sup.2+, Cr.sup.3+, Co.sup.2+, Cu.sup.2+, Fe.sup.3+, Pb.sup.2+, Mn.sup.2+, Hg.sup.2 +, UO.sub.2.sup.2+ or Zn.sup.2+, preferably Fe.sup.3+, Pb.sup.2+, and Hg.sup.2+, As.sup.3+ and UO.sub.2.sup.2+. The process is pH-sensitive and selective removal of desired heavy metal ions may be achieved by varying pH and other conditions to favor removal of the desired ions and leave other heavy metal ions whose removal is inhibited under such conditions in solution.

Abstract: A process for removing selenium and/or arsenic from aqueous streams including industrial process waters and drinking water is provided comprising contacting the stream with a composition comprising lanthanum oxide whereby selenium and/or arsenic are adsorbed. Preferred compositions comprise lanthanum oxide and alumina.

Abstract: A method for selectively removing mercury from solutions, preferably solutions containing gold, such as gold cyanidation solutions, is provided comprising treating the solutions with dialkyldithiocarbamates, preferably potassium dimethyldithiocarbamate, to form stable mercury carbamate precipitates.

Abstract: Metals contained in various wastewaters are selectively recovered as metal precipitates and/or as spinel ferrite and water suitable for discharge into the environment is obtained. High grade magnetic spinel ferrite is recovered from wastewaters having aluminum and arsenic if present in the wastewater, removed from the wastewater. There are three process stages for the treatment of wastewater. In the first process stage which is optional, at least a portion of at least one non-ferrous or non-ferric metal is precipitated from the wastewater by subjecting the wastewater to an oxidizing agent to increase the oxidation-reduction potential of the water, by adjusting the pH of the wastewater to a pH at which the metal precipitates from the water and by adding an organic or inorganic sulfur compound, capable of causing the metal to form a precipitate, to the water in a quantity sufficient to precipitate the metal.