Abstract: An alkali storage battery using powder generation elements composed of a positive electrode comprising nickel (Ni) oxide as main materials, a negative electrode, a separator and an alkali aqueous solution, wherein materials of said positive electrodes are spherical or elliptic powders whose tapping density is not less than 2.2 g/cc mainly composed of nickel hydroxide (Ni(OH)2), powders comprise core powders with innumerable microscopic concaves and convexes on surfaces mainly composed of spherical or elliptic ?-type Ni(OH)2, and fine powders composed of metal cobalt (Co) and/or Co oxide, and fine powders are crushed and pressed in substantially all concave portions of microscopic concaves and convexes of said core powders, thereby integrated with core powders, and surface layers of powders are coated with fine powders and are flattened, and core powders and/or fine powders have innumerable micro pores which penetrate from surfaces to inner portions.

Abstract: A process for determining the position of an influencing element, using an inductive position sensor, several coils, a capacitor, an amplifier element, at least one changeover switch and an evaluation unit, a selected one of the coils and the capacitor forming a tuned circuit and the tuned circuit and the amplifier element forming an oscillator. Each coil is connected in succession to the capacitor and its impedance measured by the evaluation unit as a function of the position of the influencing element relative to the coil and that coil which is able to determine the location of the influencing element is determined. In further operation, only the impedance of the determined coil or of the tuned circuit formed therewith is measured and used to determine the position of the influencing element, and if the impedance of determined coil changes beyond a threshold amount, the impedance of at least one other coil or tuned circuit is measured.

Abstract: A silicon-containing composite body that would otherwise be brittle can be engineered to exhibit enhanced fracture toughness. Specifically, a silicon-ceramic composite body is produced, preferably by a reactive infiltration technique. The ceramic is selected such that it has a higher coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) than does the silicon phase. At least at some point during processing, the silicon phase is at a temperature above its normal ductile/brittle transition temperature of about 500° C., and preferably above its melting point. The formed composite body containing the silicon phase is then cooled below its ductile/brittle transition. During cooling, the ceramic phase shrinks more than does the silicon phase, thereby placing the latter in a state of compressive stress. By the time the composite body has cooled to substantially ambient temperature, the induced compressive stress in the silicon phase is sufficient as to impart a measurable degree of semi-ductile character to the silicon phase.

Abstract: An ultrasound system determines the presence of a foreign object in a container of fluid by measuring echo signals from the outer surface of the container and the inner surface of the container. The amplitude of the echo signals are compared to determine the presence of an object in the container. The system also determines viscosity of the contained fluid by measuring a through-transmission time through the container and the fluid, measuring an outer echo transmission time of an outer echo signal from the outer surface of the container and an inner echo transmission time of an inner echo signal from the inner surface of the container, and determining a time difference between the outer echo transmission time and the inner surface transmission time.

Abstract: A method for remote energy consumption system retrofit identification for a facility includes receiving energy consumption data associated with the facility, generating facility data associated with the facility, and receiving external variable data associated with the facility corresponding to the energy consumption data. The method also includes generating a first energy consumption model based on the facility data, the energy consumption data, and the external variable data. The method also includes generating a second energy consumption model based on the facility data and the external variable data. The method further includes determining energy consumption efficiency for the facility using the first and second energy consumption models and identifying a retrofit of an energy consumption system of the facility based on the energy consumption efficiency.

Abstract: An apparatus in a telecommunication system provides access to telecommunication services to subscribers at user terminals. Each terminal is separately connected to at least one access point via a xDSL modem and a communication network. The access point includes one or more xDSL modems with filters. As a result, a large number of subscribers can be connected in a short period of time, and the subscribers can consider the establishment of the connection as plug-and-play.

Abstract: Arsenic trioxide, an inorganic compound, is commercially available anti-cancer agent but it carries significant toxicity. Organic arsenicals, on the other hand, are much less toxic, to the extent that the methylation of inorganic arsenic in vivo into organic arsenicals has been considered a detoxification reaction. New organic arsenic derivatives have been synthesized, including S-dimethylarsino-glutathione, S-dimethylarsino-thiosuccinic acid and S-dimethylarsino-thiobenzoic acid, and established its potent in vitro cytotoxic activity against numerous human tumor cell lines, both of solid and hematological origin, as well as against malignant blood cells from patients with leukemia. Results form a basis for the development of S-dimethylarsino-glutathione, S-dimethylarsino-thiosuccinic acid, S-dimethylarsino-thiobenzoic acid, and other organic arsenicals as an anti-cancer therapy, combining high efficacy with very low, if any, toxicity.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for conducting mass spectrometry. The mass spectrometry may be accomplished by ion drift-chemical ionization mass spectrometry. One embodiment includes a chemical ionization mass spectrometer comprising an ion drift zone having an ion conductor that transports positive or negative ions. The chemical ionization mass spectrometer further comprises an ion source that produces the positive or negative ions and a mass spectrometer.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a novel composition, and to a method of making the composition, the composition being useful in catalyst systems for the homopolymerization and/or copolymerization of olefins, wherein such catalyst systems display a higher level of activity and stereoselectivity than previously reported. The present invention is also directed to novel polymeric compositions made with such catalyst systems, such as a novel syndiotactic polypropylene that melts at temperatures higher than previously reported.

Abstract: A multi-phase A.C. vehicle motor having one or more disk rotor assemblies and pairs of stator sub-assemblies. Each disk rotor assembly has a disk and a plurality of permanent magnets distributed along one or more circular paths in the disk inboard of the peripheral edge of the rotor. Each stator sub-assembly has a corresponding number of pole pieces and coils distributed along a mounting plate in corresponding circular paths. The disk is rotatably mounted to a support member; while the stator sub-assemblies are fixed to the support member.

Abstract: A method for covering a flower pot with a sheet of material or a pot cover. At least a portion of a sheet of material, or the inner surface of the pot cover and/or the outer surface of the flower pot is provided with a bonding material such that upon wrapping the sheet of material about the outer surface of the flower pot or placing the flower pot in an interior space of the pot cover, the flower pot is secured to the sheet of material wrapped thereabout or the pot cover via the bonding material.

Abstract: A portable communication apparatus, such as a mobile telephone, has a display, a user-controlled input device, a memory, a controller, and a hierarchical menu system stored in the memory. The menu system has a plurality of menus, including top-level menus, sub-level menus, and a plurality of menu items under respective menus. The controller is arranged to present individual menus/menu items on the display, receive selection commands from a user through the user-controlled input device and in response perform functions related to the presented menus/menu items. The memory of the apparatus has a dynamic menu, the contents of which may be modified by the user. The dynamic menu is either a top-level menu or a sub-level menu in the hierarchical menu system.

Abstract: A toothbrush having a head which carries a dental cleaning tool, and a grip handle, the head and handle being disposed along a longitudinal head-handle axis, the toothbrush having a resiliently flexible structure which can resiliently bend under the action of toothbrushing pressure and having adjustment means comprising a longitudinally moveable stiffening member which can be moved longitudinally into greater or lesser engagement with the resiliently flexible structure.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a system for electromagnetic communications that includes a semiconductor die; at least one amplifier on the die to amplify an input signal and generate an output signal; and an active bias control component on the die for adjusting biasing of the amplifier so that the amplifier is operable in a plurality of frequency bands. In one embodiment, a PCS band and W-CDMA power amplifier may be integrated on the same power amplifier die, and different output power requirements may be addressed by the use of an Si DC-DC converter. Such a converter may provide efficiency enhancements to the overall system through the use of dynamic bias control under active power control situations from the network. In addition, the converter may be used in a voltage up-converter state that allows a W-CDMA optimized power amplifier to operate at PCS frequencies and output power levels.

Abstract: A process is provided for the production of a very low melt viscosity (high melt flow index) polymer resin, suitable for use in spunbond or meltblown processing. According to the process of the current invention, a high melt viscosity (low melt flow index) resin is subjected to post-reactor molecular weight alteration by extrusion with a chemical prodegradant. The process produces a very low melt viscosity resin that can be used in spunbond or meltblown processing without further treatment to reduce the average molecular weight of the resin. Further, the very low melt viscosity resins produced according to the process of the current invention contain very little or no residual prodegradant.

Abstract: In ridding fluids, including hydrocarbon fluids, both gaseous and liquid, of sulfur compounds including hydrogen sulfide, oxides of sulfur, and thiols, the present invention uses a small quantity of an activator, generally a noble metal oxide, preferably a copper species, along with a known oxide product, such as iron oxide or zinc oxide, to thoroughly remove sulfur contaminants in a short amount of time. The activator allows for the use of smaller reactor vessels and the production of hydrocarbon fluids substantially free of sulfur products.

Abstract: After a wire rope sling is fabricated and the sleeve has been painted and dried, an adhesive type of tag containing all of the information required by ASME B30.9c is applied directly to the sleeve's surface. The sleeve and the tag will then be encased using a transparent casing, coating, or sealant. This will protect the tag from abrasion, the environment, and will ensure a permanent and legible tag.

Abstract: Information about virtual private networks—VPNs—in each domain of a multi-domain communications system is provided. By comparing a request for a configuration of a VPN with the provided information of other connected domains, a match can be found. VPN configuration can then be performed based on the outcome of the match. The provided domain VPN information is in one embodiment spread to other domains under constrictions put by SLAs between domain operators. The spreading of VPN information can be performed regularly or triggered by an external event. In another embodiment, the VPN configuration request is instead spread to different domains.

Abstract: The invention relates to an improved handoff method for mobile IP in a cdma2000 network. During handoff, the A10 connection between the Target PCF and the PDSN is pre-set-up, while the MS is still connected to a MSC, when the Target PCF receives the message from the Target BSC to set up the A8 connection. Furthermore, in the case of inter-PDSN handoff, a tunnel is established between the PDSNs, over which the PPP context eventually is transferred to the Target PDSN. The Target PDSN then sends a message to the MS triggering a re-registration with the HA. The Target PDSN takes over full responsibility for the MS when it receives the Mobile IP Result from the HA, and sends a message to the Serving PDSN to let the latter know that it can release all resources related to the MS.