Abstract: A branching unit for use in submarine systems that includes a ground termination; first, second, and third cable terminations each coupled to a power feed line of a respective submarine cable; a re-configuration relay in series between the first cable termination and the ground termination, the re-configuration relay being unidirectional and having at least one contact positioned in series between the second and third terminations, the at least one contact being closed when the re-configuration relay is de-energized; and a bypass relay in series between the second and third cable terminations, the bypass relay having a contact positioned in parallel with the reconfiguration relay and being open when the bypass relay is de-energized.

Abstract: 3-substituted dihydronepetalactone is prepared by deprotonation of nepetalactone and treatment with Grignard reagent to form alkyl and aryl substituted compounds. The compounds so prepared are odorous and have a wide range of utility ranging from insect repellents to fragrance compounds, such as perfumes, among others.

Abstract: A novel tyrosine ammonia lyase enzyme was identified in the bacterium Rhodobacter sphaeroides. This enzyme has a higher activity for tyrosine than for phenylalanine and is useful for the production of para-hydroxycinnamic acid directly from tyrosine. The gene encoding this enzyme was cloned by direct amplification using the genomic DNA and was expressed in E. coli.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention uses an on-board microcontroller of a household appliance to receive signals from a directionless encoder attached to a knob for receiving user input and processing the signals from the direction encoder according to a control algorithm. The microcontroller may increase the output to an electric heating element on the appliance based on a variety of criteria, including either direction of rotation, current heating element setting, or a change in directional rotation. Alternatively, or in addition, the microcontroller may provide various types of graduate visual or aural feedback to the user regarding the output provided by the microcontroller.

Abstract: In an air-velocity sensor and a method for operating an air-velocity sensor, the air-velocity sensor includes a temperature sensor arranged in an air flow and sequential electronics. The sequential electronics are used to cyclically impinge upon the temperature sensor with a define heat output and to determine the temperature rise time required by the temperature sensor to heat up to a given temperature difference after being impinged upon with the heat output. Temperature measurements are performed at a defined measuring frequency. The velocity of the air flow is determined on the basis of temperature rise time.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for hydrogenating nepetalactone, utilizing a metal catalyst that is optionally supported, to yield dihydronepetalactone. A suite of supported catalytic metals lead to rapid hydrogenation and high selectivity for dihydronepetalactone.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process which produces flat, distortion-free, zero-shrink, low-temperature co-fired ceramic (LTCC) bodies, composites, modules or packages from precursor green (unfired) laminates of three or more different dielectric tape chemistries that are configured in an uniquely or pseudo-symmetrical arrangement in the z-axis of the laminate.

Abstract: Multiple microcontrollers are used in controlling operation of an appliance thereby providing enhanced safety. User input deactivating the appliance is received and processed by a first and second microcontrollers, which separately and independently act to remove power from the appliance upon receipt of user input. Failure of one microcontroller in processing user input does not result in the appliance entering into an unsafe mode. Further, a third processor in a power supply module is used to control power into, and out of, the power supply module, so that under certain conditions, power may be remove from the system entirely or to certain components.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the preparation of para-xylene from trimethylpentane.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process which produces flat, distortion-free, zero-shrink, low-temperature co-fired ceramic (LTCC) bodies, composites, modules or packages from precursor green (unfired) laminates of three or more different dielectric tape chemistries that are configured in an uniquely or pseudo-symmetrical arrangement in the z-axis of the laminate.

Abstract: Use of water-insoluble organic nitrites and/or nitrates as additives for electrodeposition coating compositions, and process for the production of an electrodeposition lacquer with improved adhesion for subsequent coats in which one or more water-insoluble organic nitrites and/or nitrates is added to the electrodeposition coating composition and the coating film obtained by electrodeposition is stoved in an indirectly heated circulating air oven.

Abstract: A method and system for the insertion of local signals, including digital media advertisements, into statistically multiplexed streams is presented. The rate control and timing information is computed and is used to specify the insertion time and rate parameters for digital advertisements. In one embodiment, a maximum bit rate over the advertisement duration is specified. The maximum bit rate may be constant or may vary in time, such that high bit rate portions of the advertisement are supported. High bit rate portions of the advertisements in different program streams may be staggered, such that the total bandwidth required does not exceed a maximum, but allowing for high bit rate portions of advertisements. Custom bit rate profiles for advertisements may also be defined, with the profiles being defined at a high granularity or a low granularity.

Abstract: A yarn, fabric and garment suitable for use in arc and flame protection contains modacrylic, p-aramid and m-aramid fibers.

Abstract: A stream of successive sheets of paper, foil or the like is converted into a series of piles at a stacking station where successive sheets are caused to descend onto a pallet which is adjacent a monitoring device serving to transmit signals denoting the levels of successive uppermost sheets of a growing pile. Such signals are processed by a unit which controls one or more valves in a pneumatic elevator for the discharge end of the endless flexible conveyor which supplies successive sheets to the stacking station. The elevator ensures that the distance between the discharge end of the conveyor and the uppermost sheets of the growing pile remains within a preselected range. This contributes to the accuracy of stacking of sheets on their pallet.

Abstract: Transistors fabricated with transparent oxide semiconductors are provided. The semiconductors are metal oxides deposited without the intentional incorporation of additional doping elements, and enable the fabrication of transparent thin film transistors. The transparent transistors can be used to control pixels in a display, without significantly reducing the active area of the pixels.

Abstract: A method for moving a probe (10, 91) through a cell material (20), which is formed from biological cells (21), is described, the probe (10) displacing the cells (21) without injury. A probe (10, 91) for performing the method and a cell manipulator, which is equipped with at least one probe of this type, are also described.

Abstract: A repeat prescription ordering system for allowing patients requiring resupply of medication or medical products to access a server using a portable communications and data processing device such as a smart phone or personal digital assistant. The server supplies to the patient a list of medication and medical products which they are authorized to order. The patient can select the products required, and the order is logged by the server and allocated to a supplier for completion of the order. The server maintains an estimate of the amount of medication or medical product held by the patient, this being based on the prescribed dosage regimen and information entered by the patient on their usage and, optionally, on checks on their own health. The patient may be alerted when the estimate indicates that their supplies are running low. The estimate is allowed to go below zero, this implying a possible departure from the prescribed medication regimen.

Abstract: A camera comprises a sensor such as a CCD or ICCD for receiving radiation representative of a scene, a filter such as an arrangement of parallel neutral density stripes, arranged to attenuate the radiation reaching the sensor, and decoding electronics such as comb filters which decode the encoded video output of the sensor, to produce a compressed video image, from which the pattern of the filter has been removed.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process wherein improved production of catalysts is made possible according to an evolutionary method. The principles of mutation and crossing of catalyst components and determination of performance parameters of the mixed catalysts used here are carried out in 5 to 50 catalyst generations in such way that two mixed catalysts are selected from the same generation in crossing, and at least one selected component is exchanged between the two, and in mutation of a selected mixed catalyst, a selected component from a catalyst mixture is introduced into the catalyst or, if already present in it, it is removed from the catalyst. The selection is made in all cases by using random generators with a uniform distribution. The same procedure is used for the gas flow composition, the temperature and the space velocity as the other performance parameters.

Abstract: The methods and compositions of the present invention find use in impacting microbial pathogens and in enhancing disease resistance to pathogens, particularly by plants. The compositions of the invention include polypeptides that possess antimicrobial properties, particularly fungicidal properties, and the encoding nucleic acid molecules. The polypeptides of the invention are isolated from the hemolymph and fat bodies of insect larvae induced by injection of plant pathogenic fungi. Further provided are plant cells, plants, and seed thereof, transformed with the nucleic acid molecules of the invention so as to confer disease resistance on the plant.