Abstract: The present invention relates to inhibiting proliferation and inducing apoptosis in activated lymphocytes, including T cells and B cells. The invention also provides compositions and methods for inhibiting proliferation and inducing apoptosis in activated lymphocytes, as well methods for treating diseases associated with activated lymphocytes by administering 5-HT receptor antagonists.

Abstract: A method of forming a dielectric component, such as a capacitor is disclosed. In such a method, a conductive surface is applied to a dielectric to form a coated dielectric. Then a portion of the conductive surface is removed from the coated dielectric to form at least two electrically isolated conductive areas.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for a defibrillating system is disclosed that monitors the patient during treatment and then uses the information it gathers to adjust treatment protocols during treatment based on the patient's response. The protocols may include adaptive rhythm analysis intervals, adaptive CPR intervals, and adaptive shock stacks. A method of operating a defibrillator may include the steps of: obtaining a data set on at least one physiological parameter of a patient in a first data gathering interval; performing an analysis of the data set; and determining a time interval between the analysis of the first data set and a second data set, or the duration of a CPR interval, or the number of shocks in a shock stack, based on the result of the analysis of the data set.

Abstract: A method for measuring the velocity of a multiphase fluid flowing in a pipe. The method comprises directing at least two collimated beams of light from an illuminator through the multiphase fluid by transparent portions of the pipe. The at least two collimated beams are spaced apart in a direction of flow of the multiphase fluid by a predetermined distance. The method also includes detecting scattered, deflected and attenuated light with at least two photodetectors to produce at least two signals. The at least two photodetectors are associated with the at least two collimated beams. The method also includes calculating a cross-correlation function between the at least two signals to determine a time delay between the signals and calculating the average velocity of the multiphase fluid by taking the ratio of the predetermined distance to the time delay.

Abstract: In a method and system for compensating for contamination of a switch or of a load circuit connected to the switch in a switch circuit, on/off signal levels are obtained corresponding to on/off states of said switch based on a polling signal which turns said switch on and off. With each polling signal, the on signal level is compared with the off signal level to determine whether the signal levels differ by more than a defined amount indicating unacceptable switch or switch load circuit contamination. Based on said comparison, a switch or switch load circuit contamination indication output signal is provided indicating whether or not the switch or the switch load circuit has been unacceptably contaminated. This signal is used by said switch circuit for continued operation of said switch circuit or for taking a corrective action if unacceptable switch or switch load circuit contamination is determined.

Abstract: Portable wall-attachable firefighting monitor apparatus and method of use, including structure designed in combination to affix a monitor to a wall rim portion.

Abstract: Systems and methods of a transducer having a plastic matching layer. At least some of the illustrative embodiments are methods including providing a transducer housing having a proximal end and a distal end, and bonding a plastic to the distal end of the transducer housing (the plastic fluidly sealing and occluding the distal end). The bonding further includes inserting a cylinder comprising a mold-release chemical into the transducer housing, bonding plastic onto the distal end of the transducer housing, and removing the cylinder when the plastic has hardened.

Abstract: A method and system of determining forthcoming failure of transducers. At least some of the illustrative embodiments are methods comprising creating a first electrical signal representative of acoustic energy propagating between a first pair of transducers of a fluid meter, creating a second electrical signal representative of acoustic energy propagating between a second pair of transducers of the fluid meter (the creating the second electrical signal substantially concurrently with create the first electrical signal), calculating a value indicative of a relationship between a parameter of the first electrical signal a parameter of the second electrical signal, and determining whether performance of the first pair of transducers indicates upcoming failure of at least one transducer of the first pair of transducers, the determining using the value.

Abstract: The present invention provides improved retention of O-rings and easier O-ring replacement by using an O-ring retainer in a bar gun. Furthermore, the assembly of the butterfly plates of the bar gun is improved by using molded ball bearing clusters that fit in recesses in the butterfly plates, thus eliminating the welding of the balls to the butterfly plates and the need to purchase such precise and intricately small balls. The O-ring retainer and molded ball bearing cluster are preferably made from bearing quality acetal plastic materials.

Abstract: Method and system of a flange seal ring. At least some of the illustrative embodiments are systems comprising a metallic ring and a plurality of cogs. The metallic ring comprises a central bore that defines an internal diameter, a first sealing face that defines a first plane, a second sealing face that defines a second plane, a first groove in the first sealing face, and a second groove in the second sealing face. The plurality of cogs couple to the metallic ring, each cog extends through the first plane, and the plurality of cogs positioned one each at a plurality of radial positions around the metallic ring. At least one of the plurality of cogs configured to have an adjustable position relative to the central bore, and the cogs configured to align the central bore to a corresponding bore of a flange.

Abstract: Determining a pattern of arrival time cycle skip in an acoustic flow meter. At least some of the illustrative embodiments are methods comprising transceiving acoustic signals through a fluid flowing in a meter (the transceiving between respective pairs of a plurality of transducer pairs), measuring transit time of acoustic signals between the respective pairs of the plurality of transducers pairs, calculating a plurality of error values (each error value indicative of a cycle skip mode in measuring of the transit time of the acoustic signals), and determining the cycle skip mode using, at least in part, the plurality of error values.

Abstract: An orifice plate carrier for positioning an orifice plate within an orifice fitting to measure fluid flow rate through a conduit is disclosed. In some embodiments, the plate carrier has an opening therethrough and an inner surface surrounding the opening. A lip extends radially from the inner surface to support an orifice plate assembly with an orifice plate disposed therein. At least one flow port extends through the body. Each flow port is configured to allow fluid therethrough and to reduce a pressure differential between fluid up and downstream of the orifice plate during installation and extraction. At least two notches, each notch extending radially from the inner surface, engage the orifice plate and maintain the concentric position of the orifice plate within the fitting.

Abstract: An actuator and flap arrangement includes a flap, movable relative to a support structure, and two actuators. Each actuator has a portion fixed relative to the support structure, a portion movable relative to the fixed portion and connected to the flap for transfer of motor force to flap upon movement of the movable portion, and a motor for moving the movable portion relative to the fixed portion. The arrangement also includes a device interconnecting the two actuators for transferring motive force between the two actuators.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for extending an existing simplex or multiplex lock-and-key system that includes a family of first keys each having a first profile and of a corresponding plurality of first locks each operable by a first key and each having a first keyway configured for accepting the first key profile. Second keys of a new family are defined with a core section corresponding to the first key profile and a narrowed projection extending from the bottom of the core section. Corresponding second locks have a second keyway profile defined as the compliment of the second key profile, thus including a complimentary core section and a foot recess extending from the bottom of the second keyway core section. The second locks accept a second key positioned at the second keyway baseline to normally lift the lock pin stacks and operate the second lock.

Abstract: A dual chamber orifice fitting, including a body with a lower chamber in fluid communication with a pipeline and a top with an upper chamber in fluid communication with the lower chamber. A valve assembly closes to hydraulically isolate the upper chamber from the lower chamber and opens to allow an orifice plate carrier to move between the chambers. When the orifice plate carrier is in the lower chamber is can be aligned with the flowbore of the pipeline. The orifice plate carrier can be removed from the fitting through the upper chamber. In some embodiments, at least one of either the upper or lower chambers has a curved cross-section including inner and outer radii, a Cassini oval or a dog-bone shape. The body and top may also have a double curved outer surface to accommodate the curved cross-section of the interior chambers.

Abstract: A security system having a control and a sensor attachable to an article to be monitored. The sensor has a plurality of different states, among which are an armed state and a breached state. The sensor and control interact so that the control causes a detectable signal to be generated as an incident of the sensor being changed from the armed state into the breached state. The sensor has a housing with a wall structure bounding a cavity. The sensor further has a source of illumination that projects light. The wall structure has a light transmissive portion through which light from the illumination source projects from within the cavity to be visible externally of the wall structure.

Abstract: A back-up safety apparatus and method that enables the driver of a large vehicle with inherent rear blind spots to receive signals, to proceed or stop, based on changing safe or unsafe conditions. A spotter who monitors the vehicle's progress from a safe and remote vantage point in the rear, uses a hand held wireless transmitter to signal the driver. The transmitter also provides a deadman style safety switch for the benefit of the spotter that will automatically signal the driver to stop if the spotter becomes disabled, falls or drops the transmitter.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a wall-mountable, configurable controller having control keys (e.g., less than eight keys or another small number of keys), a subassembly including circuitry, and a control key insert removably mountable to the subassembly and including at least one of the control keys. The circuitry can include a limit switch that is biased in a default state but moveable into a learning state in response to user-exerted force. In some embodiments, the controller includes an IR emitter and an IR receiver and is operable to clone another device by sending configuring radiation from the emitter to the other device's IR receiver. Preferably, the emitter and receiver are positioned so that a controller's IR emitter aligns with the IR receiver of an identical controller when the controllers are positioned face to face. In some embodiments, the controller provides audible and visual feedback to users when operating in a learning mode.

Abstract: A transformer board is disclosed. In some embodiments, the transformer board includes a base, a circuit board, a transformer having a first and second winding, a first and a second connector, a ribbon cable and a nonconductive fill material. The base has a recess within which the circuit board is positioned. The transformer is mechanically coupled to the circuit board. The first connector is configured to electrically couple to transducers within a pressure boundary of an ultrasonic flow meter and is electrically coupled to the second winding of the transformer. The ribbon cable is electrically coupled between the first winding of the transformer and the second connector. The nonconductive fill material is contained by the recess and encases the circuit board, the transformer, the coupling of the first connector to the second winding of the transformer, and the coupling of the ribbon cable to the first winding of the transformer.

Abstract: An information processing system comprising a translation from a directory or individuals input source to a state database containing resource description triples, a mapping of the triples in the state database from one ontology class to another, and a translation from the triples in the state database to a directory or individuals output sink.