Abstract: A biosensor (10) has a pH-sensitive polymeric hydrogel (30) in a rigid and preferably biocompatible enclosure (20). The hydrogel (30) includes an immobilized oxidoreductase enzyme such as glucose oxidase. The oxidoreductase enzyme catalyzes a chemical reaction consuming an organic molecule and producing a byproduct. The hydrogel (30) changes its osmotic pressure in proportion to the concentration of a byproduct. By measuring the change in osmotic pressure with a pressure transducer (40), the biosensor (10) is able to accurately measure the concentration of the organic molecule without the problem of interference encountered by prior art biosensors. A battery (64) powered telemeter (60) operably engaged to the pressure transducer (40) sends a radio data signal to a receiver (66) operably attached to a computer (62).

Abstract: An apparatus for lining up micro-balls in accordance with the present invention includes: ball carrying pallets having a plurality of pits for holding the micro-balls, respectively, on its surface, a pallet holder for holding the ball carrying pallets, a lining-up container defining a sealed chamber in association with the pallet holder hermetically fitted thereto, a storing tank for storing liquid carrier in which micro-balls are dispersed, and applying/collecting device for communicating the storing tank with the lining-up container via a passage to supply the micro-balls together with the liquid carrier from the storing tank to the sealed chamber and return the surplus micro-balls together with the liquid carrier from the sealed chamber to the storing tank.

Abstract: A substrate treatment process is disclosed to remove organic matter existing on a substrate such as a wafer, glass substrate or ceramic. The process comprises treating the substrate with ozone water and then with hydrogen water, or treating the substrate with ozone-hydrogen water or treating the substrate with ozone water and hydrogen water at the same time. A substrate treatment apparatus is also disclosed for a substrate. The apparatus comprises a treatment vessel, a substrate holder for rotating the substrate in a horizontal plane in the treatment vessel, a nozzle unit arranged in an upper part of the treatment vessel such that a liquid is downwardly fed, a feed line for feeding the liquid to the nozzle unit, and a chamber enclosing therein the apparatus in its entirety.

Abstract: A method for forming SbSI thin films is formed. In the first step of the method, a substrate (14) is provided. Next a buffer layer (16) is formed on the substrate (14). Then, a SbSI source (12) is provided. The SbSI source (12) and buffer layer (16) with substrate (14) are placed in an ampoule (10). The ampoule is heated in a two-zone furnace (11). This causes the SbSI source (12) to form a vapor which reacts with the buffer layer (14) to form a thin film of SbSI.

Abstract: A noncontact position and orientation measurement system includes at least four beacons disposed on a first object. Each beacon is operable to generate an optical signal. The system also includes a beacon controller operable to sequentially activate and deactivate each of the beacons. The system also includes an electro-optical sensor disposed on a second object. The electro-optical sensor is operable to generate an output signal for each optical signal received from the beacons. The system further includes a signal con-roller coupled to the electro-optical sensor. The signal controller is operable to determine a position and an orientation of the second object relative to the first object using the output signals generated by the electro-optical sensor.

Abstract: An equaliser circuit comprises at least one tuneable transconductance element (12, 14, 16, 18, 22) having its operating parameters determined by its supply voltage (Vdd). An automatic tuning means can be used to vary the supply voltage of the or each transconductance element.

Abstract: The present invention is a control system for a vehicle that utilizes a powered attachment such as a material spreader. Such a device requires the use of a high current drawing motor, which in turn requires the ability to control the flow of high amperage current. The high current switching circuitry is mounted on or near the electric motor to prevent the heat generated by the circuitry from posing any type of hazard. A low current control is placed within the cab of the vehicle and serves to remotely control the switching circuitry.

Abstract: Commonly clocked digital storage elements are provided with mutually different clock-to-output delays in order to timewise stagger their respective switching current spikes from one another, thereby “smearing” the aggregate current spike over time.

Abstract: A weapon includes a barrel having a barrel axis and a breech-side end having an end face; a breech ring affixed to the breech-side end; and a catching and ejecting device movable parallel to the barrel axis for immobilizing a rimless cartridge case in and extracting the cartridge case from the barrel. The catching and ejecting device has a pivotally supported ejector; an extractor claw mounted at an end of the ejector and arranged for engaging into an ejector groove of the cartridge case; a spring biasing the ejector for urging the extractor claw generally radially inwardly; and a guide member mounted on an end of the ejector for contacting the cartridge case during cartridge feed into the barrel whereby the ejector and the extractor claw are pivoted against a force of the spring for maintaining the extractor claw out of contact with the cartridge case.

Abstract: A system and method in a radio telecommunications network for automatically conveying a Wireless Office System (WOS) frequency set to a mobile station (MS) belonging to the WOS. The network includes a public cell, and a private WOS located within the public cell. A WOS controller sends the WOS frequency set from the WOS to an Equipment Identity Register (EIR) in the network whenever the WOS changes its frequency set. When the MS registers in the public cell in which the WOS is located, a mobile switching center (MSC) serving the public cell notifies an Intelligent Roaming Database (IRDB) of the registration. The IRDB fetches the WOS frequency set from the database, and obtains location information for the MS from a home location register (HLR). The IRDB then sends the WOS frequency set to the MS in an IS-136 R-DATA message.

Abstract: Methods are described for measurement and prediction of site specific scour around a structure obstructing a flow. Representative soil samples are collected from an area proximate the structure location and tests are conducted on the samples to determine the erosion rate and hydraulic shear stress imposed. The maximum shear stress and initial scour rates around the structure are also obtained. Next, the maximum depth of scour is calculated, and the depth of scour versus time curve for the structure is then predicted. In a preferred embodiment, the methods described are used to predict a scour depth versus time curve around a cylindrical bridge support standing in the way of a constant velocity flow and founded in a uniform cohesive soil. An erosion function apparatus is also described which can be used to test representative samples of soil in the area where a structure is located.

Abstract: This invention provides a method for thermally converting volatile fatty acid (VFA) salts to ketones by mixing dry calcium salts of VFAs with hot heat transfer agent in an evacuated container, thereby causing thermal decomposition of the calcium salts of VFAs to form ketone-containing vapor and calcium carbonate; and separating the ketone-containing vapor from the calcium carbonate and heat transfer agent by condensing a mixture of ketones from the ketone-containing vapor. This invention also provides a process for conversion of VFA salts, produced by anaerobic fermentation of cellulosic biomass, into liquid fuels, volatile fatty acids, aldehydes, alcohols, and lactic acid.

Abstract: This invention satisfies needs in the art by providing intimin, the Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) adherence protein, alone or as a fusion protein with one or more other antigens, expressed by transgenic plants and the use of those plants as vehicles for stimulating a protective immune response against EHEC and the one or more other antigens. Various plant species are transformed to protect various animal species and also humans against EHEC, against pathogens expressing intimin-like proteins, and against pathogens expressing any of the one or more other antigens to which intimin may be fused. The eae gene encoding intimin, a functional portion thereof, or a recombination that encodes a fusion protein is put under the control of a constitutive plant promoter in a plasmid and the plasmid is introduced into plants by the type of transformation appropriate for the particular plant species.

Abstract: An antenna structure incorporating a unitary radiator including a compression housing. The compression housing snap fits to a ferrule to compress the unitary radiator to ensure electrical contact between the unitary radiator and an electrical contact, such as the ferrule. Upon assembly, the compression housing is snap fit to the ferrule to compress the radiator. Preferably, to accommodate snap fit construction, an end of the ferrule includes at least one detent that corresponds to at least one projection on the compression housing. Another end of the ferrule preferably includes at least one projection that corresponds to at least one detent on the portable communicator to achieve a snap fit between the ferrule and the portable communicator. To accommodate two bands, the unitary radiator preferably has a generally helical shape formed by an outer portion thereof and a center portion disposed within the outer portion.

Abstract: A method and system for establishing a first short-range radio link, operating within a first link range (13), between a stationary unit (12) and a mobile communication device (10, A) in a wireless network environment, wherein the stationary unit (12) transmits an interrogation signal to said mobile communication device (10, A) via a short-range communication link operating within a second link range (14) essentially smaller than said first link range (13). The mobile communication device (10, A) receives the interrogation signal from the stationary unit (12), and generates and transmitting a respond signal, including a unique identification number of the mobile communication device (10, A), to said interrogation signal. The stationary unit (12) receives said respond signal, and authenticate the identification number. Finally, the stationary unit (12) and said mobile communication device (10, A) establish a connection via said first shorn-range radio link.

Abstract: A noninvasive method utilizing feces, containing sloughed colonocytes, as a sensitive technique for detecting diagnostic colonic biomarkers as well as a method for isolating poly A +RNA from feces. The method allows the isolation and quantitation of specific eukarotic mRNAs as candidate biomarkers for colon cancer isolated from feces.

Abstract: A switch for use with an electrosurgical tool having a heatable tip connectable to a power source and a suction passage connectable to a suction source. The switch comprises a main body having a suction passage extending therethrough connectable to the suction passage of the tool. A cavity in the main body intersects the suction passage and is adapted to slidably receive a mounting post to permit slidable movement of the main body over the mounting post. The mounting post has an end protruding from the main body that is pivotally connectable to the tool. An opening extends through the mounting post that is alignable with the suction passage. In operation, the main body of the switch is manually movable between a default position in which the suction passage and the opening are misaligned to block suction and an operating position in which the suction passage and opening are aligned to permit suction.

Abstract: A mobile communications system is provided for significantly reducing the time required to process a random access mobile-originated call. During call setup, a mobile station transmits a random access packet that includes a preamble and a plurality of fields. The information provided in these fields is used by the base station to facilitate a more efficient call setup and more quickly allocate channel resources. A system is also provided for detecting, identifying and receiving multiple random access requests. Each mobile station transmits one of a plurality of different preamble symbol patterns in a random access request packet. The base station receiver includes a plurality of accumulators, each of which is tuned to a different preamble symbol pattern. Consequently, the base station receiver can distinguish between simultaneous random access requests.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for providing a mobile terminal with an indication of the service subscription being used by the mobile terminal. When received at a mobile terminal, the indications are displayed upon a display element. The display of the indication of the selected service subscription minimizes uncertainty to a user of the mobile terminal as to which service subscription calls originated at, or terminated at, the mobile terminal are being charged.

Abstract: An IQ modulator, and an associated method, for a digital transmitter. The IQ modulator forms I- and Q-components which modulate a carrier. The IQ modulator permits simple and quick introduction of frequency offsets to overcome the effects of Doppler shifting or to form channel offsets in an FDMA communication scheme.