Abstract: A user of a computer aided design (CAD) system graphically places fire alarm elements, such as smoke detectors, sirens, and sources on a drawing area. After one or more of the elements are placed, the disclosed methods and apparatus automatically determine a series of electrical circuit connections between alarm source elements and alarm appliance elements. This determination may be based on circuit type compatibility as well as a number of connected segments between a particular alarm source and a particular alarm appliance.

Abstract: A method for the production of carotenoid compounds is disclosed. The method relies on the use of microorganisms which metabolize single carbon substrates for the production of carotenoid compounds in high yields.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device and a method for the aftertreatment of exhaust gases from combustion engines, in particular from internal combustion engines. The device according to the invention and the method are intended to be of simple construction, should be inexpensive to produce and operate and should have less adverse effect on the flow conditions in the exhaust gas stream. To achieve this object, at least one region which is filled with beads is provided in the exhaust-gas stream, the beads preferably being hollow beads. The exhaust gas from the combustion engine is passed through this region, and it is possible to achieve particle agglomeration with simultaneous separation of these particles. In addition, further regions which are filled with metal fibers may follow the at least one region filled with beads, and the exhaust gas is additionally passed through these further regions.

Abstract: One describes a package, particularly for packing industrial products, comprising a product-holding body provided with a through-bore, a grip region associated to the body and a flow controlling and interrupting valve associated to the through-bore, the valve comprising an elongate and through-bored body of flexible material, the body being fixed by means of at least its first end portion to the through-bore, the second end portion of the body, opposed to the first portion, extending outwardly of the thorough-bore and being foldable over the elongate body into the bore, so as to enable one to close the valve. The present package permits partial consumption of the product and the correct application, through the valve, thus enabling one to use the product partly and rationally, without wasting it. It also avoids leakage of the packed product, which is of great importance when toxic and polluting products are packed.

Abstract: A comprehensive, wireless multimedia surveillance and monitoring system provides a combination of megapixel digital camera capability with full motion video surveillance with a network, including network components and appliances such as wiring, workstations, and servers with the option of geographical distribution with various wide area carriers. The full service, multi-media surveillance system is capable of a wide range of monitoring techniques utilizing digital network architecture and is adapted for transmitting event data, video and/or image monitoring information, audio signals and other sensor and detector data over significant distances using digital data transmission over a LAN, wireless LAN, Intranet or Internet for automatic assessment and response including dispatch of response personnel. Both wired and wireless appliance and sensor systems may be employed. GPS dispatching is used to locate and alert personnel as well as to indicate the location of an event.

Abstract: A process and installation for automatic optimal location of a servicing operation on an integrated circuit. The accessible polygons are retrieved on the basis of topographic descriptive data and data representing the electrical circuit. For each step, different execution options are determined, each corresponding to each of the different accessible polygons, and a rating is calculated and assigned to each execution option as a function of the depth of each possible initial polygon with respect to the access surface, and of accessibility parameters of each possible initial polygon, and the optimal execution option to be used for executing each step of the servicing operation is determined automatically by a numerical optimization calculation using the ratings assigned to the different execution options of each step of the servicing operation.

Abstract: A permanent magnet alternator including a stationary stator including a plurality of spaced stator poles projecting inwardly from the stator, a winding circuit wound through the spaces between the stator poles, a rotor assembly mounted for rotation within the stator, including a plurality of permanent magnets fixedly mounted on an outer circumferential surface of the rotor in alternating polarity, and a retaining shield for reducing the effects of centrifugal motion of the rotor during operation of the alternator.

Abstract: Combined electronic/mechanical scanning antenna for fixed installations such as ground-based self-propelled vehicles, automobiles, trucks, etc., ships, satellites, etc., to connect fixed or moving stations. It may be used for radar applications. Compared to the current state-of-the-art, it combines mechanical and electronic scanning devices in a single system. Technical field of electronic systems and radar telecommunications included. Field of application: production of telecommunications systems.

Abstract: An inventive procurement system includes a requisition system for special item purchases that are not found when searching a catalog database. Using the requisition system the buyer is provided with the desired item while the information associated with the requisition is selectively added to a rule-based knowledge base as well as to an item database. In a preferred embodiment a common language generator has been used to normalize free form data using pre-determined rules to place the data into a class/attribute/value relationship. By having the item requisition follow the same relationship, the pre-determined rules may be updated and the free-form data associated with the item properly coded for inclusion into an item database.

Abstract: A medical analysis system for measuring properties and constituents of urine. The system includes a toilet unit mountable on a toilet bowl, readily attachable and detachable therefrom. The toilet unit includes a collection and sampling sub-unit for collecting and measuring the characteristics of urine and an electronics sub-unit for data collection and processing of the measured characteristics. The toilet unit also includes a communications link for data transfer between the collection and sampling and electronics sub-units. It also includes a means for removably fastening the collection and sampling sub-unit inside a toilet bowl, permitting ready attachment and removal of the toilet unit from a toilet bowl as desired. A wall unit, having a communications link for data transfer between the wall and toilet units, also includes means for storing and further processing the data for determining if changes have occurred in the measured characteristics of urine over time.

Abstract: The invention provides nucleic acids, and variants and fragments thereof, obtained from strains of Bacillus thuringiensis encoding ?-endotoxins having pesticidal activity against insect pests. The invention further provides mutagenized nucleic acids that have been modified to encode pesticidal polypeptides such as endotoxins having improved pesticidal activity and/or altered pest specificity. Particular embodiments of the invention provide isolated nucleic acids encoding pesticidal proteins that may be optimized as well as pesticidal compositions, expression cassettes, and transformed microorganisms and plants comprising a nucleic acid of the invention. These compositions find use in methods for controlling pests, especially plant pests.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for staining membranes, in particular, a method for selective staining of cells using voltage-sensitive dyes.

Abstract: The invention provides nucleic acids, and variants and fragments thereof, obtained from strains of Bacillus thuringiensis encoding ?-endotoxins having pesticidal activity against insect pests. The invention further provides mutagenized nucleic acids that have been modified to encode pesticidal polypeptides such as endotoxins having improved pesticidal activity and/or altered pest specificity. Particular embodiments of the invention provide isolated nucleic acids encoding pesticidal proteins that may be optimized as well as pesticidal compositions, expression cassettes, and transformed microorganisms and plants comprising a nucleic acid of the invention. These compositions find use in methods for controlling pests, especially plant pests.

Abstract: A mounted display assembly comprises a flexible substrate that supports both display elements and control circuits. The display assembly generally comprises: an electrical connection formed on the flexible substrate, the electrical connection having first and second contact pads; a display element in electrical communication with the first contact pad; and a control circuit mounted on the flexible substrate and in electrical communication with the second contact pad. In a preferred embodiment, the display element comprises a microencapsulated electrophoretic display medium. In another preferred embodiment, printing processes are employed in manufacturing methods for the display assembly.

Abstract: Systems and methods for efficiently querying and identifying multiple items on a communication channel are disclosed. The invention is well suited to use with radio frequency identification with interrogation devices and systems that identify radio frequency identification transponders. A depth-first tree traversal protocol algorithm, including commands and symbols, is used to more efficiently interrogate a plurality of transponders in a short amount of time.

Abstract: This invention relates to an isolated nucleic acid fragment encoding a galactinol synthase. The invention also relates to the construction of a chimeric gene encoding all or a portion of the galactinol synthase, in sense or antisense orientation, wherein expression of the chimeric gene results in production of altered levels of the galactinol synthase in a transformed host cell.

Abstract: A detachable zoom lens assembly includes a holder base, which has an insertion slot in the periphery and a light path through the two ends, a coupling structure for coupling the holder base to a photographic apparatus, a special effect unit detachably inserted into the insertion slot to hold a special effect lens in the light path, and a zoomer coupled to the front end of the holder base to hold a zoom lens for changing the focus of incident light.

Abstract: A method for the production of catalyst coated membranes, especially catalyst coated membranes for use in fuel cells, includes raised relief printing a catalyst coating composition (11) onto the surface of an ion exchange membrane (16) to form at least one electrode layer.