Abstract: Fuel storage and delivery systems for compressed natural gas are provided that are constructed from ultra-high strength, low alloy steels containing less than 2.5 wt % nickel and having a tensile strength greater than 900 MPa (130 ksi). A primary benefit is that systems of this invention have substantially lower weight than that of currently available steel-based systems. Consequently, the fuel efficiency of a CNG vehicle can be improved due to the lower weight of the system of this invention, or the driving range of the CNG vehicle can be improved by increased fuel storage for the same volume at an elevated pressure, or the load-carrying capacity of the CNG vehicle can be improved. Another primary benefit is that systems of this invention have a cost per unit strength substantially lower than that of currently available systems.

Abstract: A region defined in relation to a surface, and a method for defining such a region; coded data being disposed within the region, the coded data being indicative of an identity of the region and of a plurality of points within the region; in one embodiment, the coded data comprising a plurality of tags, each tag being indicative of the region identity and of its own position within the region.

Abstract: As edge-emitting semiconductor laser incorporating a narrow waveguide design is disclosed. The narrow waveguide expands the lateral mode size, creates a large modal spot size, and insures higher-order modes are beyond cutoff. Separate current confinement allows the current injection region to match the mode size. The resulting device exhibits single-mode operation with a large spot-size to high output powers.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a poled fiber and a dispersion compensator. The method including patterning to cover an etching-resistant material on the body portions of the cladding and on one end or both ends of the optical fiber excluding the portions to be grooved in the longitudinal direction, etching the bare portions of the cladding excluding the portions covered with the etching-resistant material, evaporating electrodes on the etched portions and applying a voltage to the electrodes, and inducing periodic poling generating optical phenomenon of the second-order nonlinearity to the optical fiber through the patterned electrodes. The compensator including a periodic poled fiber to generate a phase conjugate wave of a difference frequency between a pump light and a signal light received from a fiber coupler, and a filter to pass the phase conjugate wave coming out from the periodic poled fiber.

Abstract: A high-speed wavelength channel selector has properties of relatively easy manufacturing and easy extension to multi-channel integration, and a high-speed space and wavelength multiplexed channel selector uses the high-speed wavelength channel selector. The high-speed wavelength channel selector is integrated with electro-optic waveguide switches of non-crystalline materials, such as electro-optic polymers or glasses, in the middle of a pair of wavelength multiplexer and demultiplexer and the high-speed space and wavelength multiplexed channel selector has the photonic integrated circuit-type composition of a space multiplexed channel selector containing M electro-optic waveguide switches and an M×1 channel combiner, the high-speed wavelength channel selector, optical amplifier and a high-speed wavelength converter.

Abstract: A universal adapter for use with a rechargeable handheld communication device includes a power module. An AC rectifier is operable to convert an AC power signal into a rectified AC power signal. A DC transformer is operable to receive the AC rectified power signal and output a DC transformed power signal. A top switch feedback circuit is coupled to the DC transformer and is operable to regulate the DC transformed power signal. A DC to DC switching converter is coupled to the DC transformer and is operable to convert the DC transformed power signal to a converted DC power signal. A feedback control circuit is coupled to the DC to DC converter and operable to regulate the converted DC signal.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of printing using dots of ink discharged from nozzles to form the image. It is desirable to prevent printing to occur if there is insufficient ink in the printer cartridge to complete the page. Before each page is printed the recorded amount of ink remaining in the printer cartridge is compared with the amount of ink need in the worst-case page to determine if there is sufficient ink to print the page. If there is the page is printed. After the page is printed, the number of dots of ink used to form the image is multiplied by the dot size and the resulting volume of ink used, is subtracted from previously recorded volume of ink to obtain the new volume of ink remaining in the cartridge.

Abstract: A printhead for an ink jet printer includes an array of print chips abutting end-to-end. The adjoining edge portions of the print chips include a zig-zag formation to ensure a proper positional alignment and spacing of the nozzles on one chip with those of the adjacent chip.

Abstract: A method for determining if blood in a stool sample originated from the upper or lower gastrointestinal tract. This includes a method for purifying and concentrating hemoglobin and its products from a stool sample to allow a simple and sensitive spectrophotometric analysis. A rapid, noninvasive determination of whether the blood originated from an upper gastrointestinal or lower gastrointestinal site is made on the basis of changes in the absorption spectra of hemoglobin that occur when hemoglobin is exposed to a highly acidic environment.

Abstract: A synthetic ester-containing lubricant with good soot-handling and, with friction modifier, viscosity modifier and antioxidant present, improved engine performance and cleanliness.

Abstract: The present invention comprises the optimization of a four zone simulated moving bed system configured to separate a first component from a mixture containing the first component and a second component wherein the first component exhibits non-linear adsorption and non-negligible mass transfer resistances. In one example, the four zone simulated moving bed is optimized to separate Clarithromycin from a mixture containing Clarithromycin and 6,11-O-methyl erythromycin A. The present invention further comprises a four zone or a five zone apparatus having a first portion and a second portion and the optimization of the four zone or five zone apparatus to separate a first component from a mixture containing the first component and a second component and the method of using the same. In one example, the four zone and five zone simulated moving beds are optimized to separate Clarithromycin from a mixture containing Clarithromycin and 6,11-O-methyl erythromycin A.

Abstract: A bone boring device and method, the device comprising a hinge, a handle coupled to the hinge, and at least one curved needle with a tip. The needle is rotatably mounted on the hinge such that when the tip is placed against bone and the needle is rotated on the hinge, the needle is urged and advanced into the bone. Preferably, the at least one needle is a first and a second needle. Alternatively, the needles may rotate about the same hinge or different hinges.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for forming a low-sulfur motor gasoline and the product made therefrom. In one embodiment, process involves separating a catalytically cracked naphtha into at least a light fraction boiling below about 165° F. and a heavy fraction boiling above about 165° F. The light fraction is treated to remove sulfur by a non-hydrotreating method, and the heavy fraction is hydrotreated to remove sulfur to a level of less than about 100 ppm.

Abstract: The present invention provides new and useful methods for preparing rare-earth oxysulfide phosphors. Advantageously, in accordance with the methods of the subject invention, rare-earth oxysulfide phosphors can be prepared with lower reaction temperatures and fewer processing steps than methods currently in use. In a preferred embodiment, the process of the subject invention involves blending two different rare-earth nitrate salts and a sulfidizing agent. Then, the mixture is heated at relatively low temperatures until the rare-earth oxysulfide phosphor is produced.

Abstract: Bisphenylene-spirobifluorene compounds, a method for synthesizing the same, and EL material and device having the same. The bisphenylene-spirobifluorene compound is defined by the following formula: wherein R1 and R2 are identical or different and are independently a straight-chain or branched alkyl group having from 1 to 22 carbon atoms, X1 and X2 independently contains one or more elements selected from the group consisting of C, O, N, S, Si and Ge, and m and n are integers from 1 to 4.

Abstract: This invention relates to a compound or group of compounds present in an active principle derived from plants of species Euphorbia peplus, Euphorbia hirta and Euphorbia drummondii, and to pharmaceutical compositions comprising these compounds. Extracts from these plants have been found to show selective cytotoxicity against several different cancer cell lines. The compounds are useful in effective treatment of cancers, particularly malignant melanomas and squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs). In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the compound is selected from the group consisting of jatrophanes, pepluanes, paralianes and ingenanes, and pharmaceutically-acceptable salts or esters thereof, and more particularly jatrophanes of Conformation II.

Abstract: Composites for destroying chemical and biological agents such as toxins and bacteria, and methods of preparing and using those composites are provided. According to the invention, the substance to be destroyed is contacted with the inventive composites which comprise finely divided metal oxide nanoparticles at least partially coated with carbon. Advantageously, the composites exclude water while not excluding the target compound or adsorbates. The desired metal oxide nanoparticles can be pressed into pellets for use when a powder is not feasible. Preferred metal oxide nanoparticles include MgO, SrO, BaO, CaO, TiO2, ZrO2, FeO, V2O3, V2O5, Mn2O3, Fe2O3, NiO, CuO, Al2O3, SiO2, ZnO, Ag2O, and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: This invention discloses (20S)-1?-hydroxy-2?-methyl-19-nor-vitamin D3 and (20S)-1?-hydroxy-2?-methyl-19-nor-vitamin D3 and pharmaceutical uses therefor. These compounds exhibit pronounced activity in arresting the proliferation of undifferentiated cells and inducing their differentiation to the monocyte thus evidencing use as an anti-cancer agent and for the treatment of skin diseases such as psoriasis as well as skin conditions such as wrinkles, slack skin, dry skin and insufficient sebum secretion. These compounds also have very significant calcemic activity and therefore may be used to treat immune disorders in humans as well as metabolic bone diseases such as osteoporosis.

Abstract: A method of separation and recovery of elements from radioactive liquid wastes, includes a step of bringing into contact a high-level radioactive liquid waste containing separation target elements including Americium, Curium, Zirconium, Molybdenum, Palladium and rare earth elements with solid absorbent containing organophosphorus compounds so that the separation target elements are absorbed in the solid absorbent, a step of bringing into contact the solid absorbent with an acidic solution containing diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid so that Americium, Curium, Zirconium, Molybdenum, Palladium and heavy rare earth elements are eluted from the solid absorbent, and a step of bringing into contact the solid absorbent underwent the first elution step with water or dilute nitric acid so that light rare earth elements are eluted from the solid absorbent.

Abstract: A method for determining improved innate immunity, disease resistance or performance in animals is disclosed. The method involves assays for a genetic differences in the NRAMP1 gene of the animal which is associated with superior disease resistance. Novel NRAMP1 sequence, assays, and compositions for identifying the presence of absence of these alleles are provided.