Abstract: A telecommunication system includes telecommunication resources, points, and a connection manager. The connection manager is configured to establish connections between the telecommunications resources and the points in response to a request from an application. The connection manager uses routing tables to select the most efficient route from the available routes between a telecommunications resource and a point. The routing tables establish the connection by sending a request to allocate a telecommunications resource to a session manager.

Abstract: A system and method in accordance with the invention allow a user to select when messages relating to medication events are sent and to select the content parameters of those messages. In one aspect, a user selects certain event types, the occurrence of which will cause a message to be sent to the user. For example, the user may select a message type that pertains to the availability of a medication in an automated dispensing machine for that user's patient. In another aspect, the user may customize the contents of the message to include or exclude certain information. For example, the user may desire the message to indicate only the patient's name and not the patient's gender or age. In yet another aspect, the user may filter messages so that only certain messages are sent. For example, the user may select a filter that permits only messages pertaining to his or her patients to be sent.

Abstract: Methods of the invention include the application of fluorescent technology, total genome amplification, high throughput automated microsatellite fragment analysis, robotics, and novel computational methods. Computational methods include determining a microsatellite instability (MSI) phenotype (frequency and significance of MSI over multiple loci) using SP-PCR at higher than 0.5 genome equivalents (0.5 to 2 genome equivalents).

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for robust controlled auto-ignition and spark ignited combustion controls in gasoline direct-injection engines, including transients, using either exhaust re-breathing or a combination of exhaust re-compression and re-breathing valve strategy. These methods are capable of enabling engine operation with either lean of stoichiometric or stoichiometric air/fuel ratio for oxides of nitrogen (NOx) control, with varying exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) rates and throttle valve positions for knock control, and with a combination of homogeneous charge compression ignition (HCCI) and spark ignition (SI) combustion modes to optimize fuel economy over a wide range of engine operating conditions.

Abstract: A method of monitoring the condition of magnetically permeable reinforcing cords (2) of a conveyor belt (1) is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of: (i) longitudinally magnetizing the cords (2) with a substantially constant unidirectional magnetic field, (ii) moving the conveyor belt (1) relative to a plurality of magnetic sensors (5) spaced apart and extending transversely relative to the belt (1), (iii) interrogating the sensors (5) at spaced apart intervals of time, (iv) using the sensors (5) to each detect the presence of a north polarity fringing magnetic field, a south polarity fringing magnetic field, or no fringing magnetic field, and (v) recording the output of each sensor (5).

Abstract: A direct injection controlled auto-ignition engine is operated at steady state, within a homogeneous charge compression-ignition (HCCI) load range and with fuel-air-diluent mixtures at predetermined conditions, for each speed and load, of engine control inputs, including at least injection timing (FI), spark timing (SI), throttle position, exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) valve setting and exhaust recompression obtained by negative valve overlap (NVO). During engine speed transients, the control inputs are synchronized to changes in the current engine speed, and also with any concurrent changes in the engine fueling rate. Inputs that are inactive during all or part of a speed change have a zero change rate while inactive. The method maintains robust auto-ignition combustion during speed transients with constant or variable fueling rates and with or without load changes.

Abstract: A method is provided for control of transition between combustion modes of a direct-injection engine operable in a homogeneous charge compression ignition (HCCI) mode at lower loads and a spark ignition flame propagation (SI) mode at higher loads. The engine includes a variable valve actuation system including two-step high and low lift valve actuation and separate cam phasing for both intake and exhaust valves. The method includes operating the engine at steady state, with fuel-air-exhaust gas mixtures at predetermined conditions, for each speed and load, and controlling the engine during mode changes between the HCCI mode and the SI mode by switching the exhaust and intake valves between low lift for HCCI operation and high lift for SI operation.

Abstract: A direct injection controlled auto-ignition engine is operated at steady state, within a homogeneous charge compression-ignition (HCCI) load range and with fuel-air-diluent mixtures at predetermined conditions, for each speed and load, of engine control inputs, including at least fueling mass flow rate, injection timing (FI), spark timing (SI) and exhaust recompression obtained by negative valve overlap (NVO). During load change rates below a predetermined threshold, SI, FI and NVO change rates are synchronized to current changes in the fueling mass flow rate. For fast load increases above the threshold, the cylinder charge is temporarily enriched by increasing the percentage of residual gas or reducing the percentage of fresh air mass in the charge sufficiently to maintain auto-ignition temperature during the load change. This may be done by delaying NVO action for a predetermined speed-dependent number of engine cycles.

Abstract: A method is provided for control of a direct-injection engine operated with controlled auto-ignition (HCCI) during load transient operations between modes of lean combustion low load (HCCI/Lean) and stiochiometric combustion medium load (HCCI/Stoich.). The method includes 1) operating the engine at steady state, within a homogeneous charge compression-ignition (HCCI) load range, with fuel-air-exhaust gas mixtures at predetermined conditions, for each speed and load, and controlling the engine during changes of operating mode between one to another of the HCCI/Stoich. medium load mode and the HCCI/Lean lower load mode by synchronizing change rates of predetermined controlled inputs to the current engine fueling change rate.

Abstract: A system and method to facilitate real estate transactions over a global communications network. The system includes a listings database to store information of real estate to be sold, a registration module to obtain qualifying information from a potential buyer, a system processing module to qualify a potential buyer to view specific real estate information stored on the listings database based on the qualifying information provided by the potential buyer and a seller's predetermined criteria, and a display to display the real estate to the potential buyer.

Abstract: A telecommunication system includes telecommunication resources, points, and a connection manager. The connection manager is configured to establish connections between the telecommunications resources and the points in response to a request from an application. The connection manager uses routing tables to select the most efficient route from the available routes between a telecommunications resource and a point. The routing tables establish the connection by sending a request to allocate a telecommunications resource to a session manager.

Abstract: Part load operating point for a controlled auto-ignition four-stroke internal combustion engine is reduced without compromising combustion stability through a valve control operative to establish low pressure conditions within the combustion chamber into which fuel and exhaust gases are introduced. Combustion chamber pressures during the intake cycle are controlled lower as engine load decreases. Combusted gases are recirculated into the combustion chamber through a variety of internal and external recirculation mechanizations. A split-injection fuel control is implemented during low part load operation whereas a single-injection fuel control is implemented during intermediate and high part load operation. Split-injections are characterized by lean fuel/air ratios and single-injections are characterized by either lean or stoichiometric fuel/air ratios. Controlled autoignition is thereby enabled through an extended range of engine loads while maintaining acceptable combustion stability and emissions.

Abstract: Part load operating point for a controlled auto-ignition four-stroke internal combustion engine is reduced without compromising combustion stability through load dependent valve controls and fueling strategies. Optimal fuel economy is achieved by employing negative valve overlap to trap and re-compress combusted gases below a predetermined engine load and employing exhaust gas re-breathing above the predetermined engine load. Split-injection fuel controls are implemented during low and intermediate part load operation whereas a single-injection fuel control is implemented during high part load operation. Split-injections are characterized by lean fuel/air ratios and single-injections are characterized by either lean or stoichiometric fuel/air ratios. Controlled autoignition is thereby enabled through an extended range of engine loads while maintaining acceptable combustion stability and emissions at optimal fuel economy.

Abstract: Part load operating point for a controlled auto-ignition four-stroke internal combustion engine is reduced without compromising combustion stability through negative valve overlap control operative to retain and compress combusted gases within the combustion chamber into which fuel is introduced. Combustion chamber pressures and temperatures are increased as engine load decreases. Various split-injection fuel controls are implemented during low and intermediate part load operation whereas a single-injection fuel control is implemented during high part load operation. Split-injections are characterized by lean fuel/air ratios and single-injections are characterized by either lean or stoichiometric fuel/air ratios. Controlled autoignition is thereby enabled through an extended range of engine loads while maintaining acceptable combustion stability and emissions.

Abstract: Low load operating point for a controlled auto-ignition four-stroke internal combustion engine is reduced without compromising combustion stability through a valve control operative to establish sub-atmospheric pressure conditions within the combustion chamber into which fuel and exhaust gases are introduced. A split-injection control operative to introduce a first fuel fraction into the combustion chamber during an intake stroke and a second fuel fraction into the combustion chamber during a compression event, in combination with the valve control, provides further reductions in low load operating points without compromising combustion stability.

Abstract: A four-stroke internal combustion engine is operated in controlled auto-ignition mode by any of a variety of valve control strategies conducive to controlled auto-ignition conditions in conjunction with in-cylinder fuel charges that are at either stoichiometric or lean of stoichiometric air-fuel ratios. A measure of engine NOx emission is provided and when it crosses a predetermined threshold, the in-cylinder fuel charge is transitioned from the operative one of the stoichiometric or lean of stoichiometric air-fuel ratios to the inoperative one of the stoichiometric or lean of stoichiometric air-fuel ratios.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for controlling the air-fuel ratio in a four-stroke gasoline direct-injection controlled auto-ignition combustion. The engine is operated with two sequential pairs of expansion and contraction strokes during two revolutions of the engine crank, the two revolutions defining a combustion cycle. A system is employed for variably actuating the intake and exhaust valves and adjusting the flow of air and burned gases entering the combustion chamber. Adjusting the flow affects the resulting air-fuel ratio in the combustion chamber. The valve actuating system is employable to operate the intake and exhaust valves with an exhaust re-compression or an exhaust re-breathing valve strategy. Either valve strategy affects the air-fuel ratio in the cylinder and causes a proportion of burned gases from previous combustion cycles to be retained in the cylinder to provide the necessary conditions for auto-ignition of the air-fuel mixture.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for expanding the mid load operation limit in a four-stroke gasoline direct-injection controlled auto-ignition combustion engine. A system is employed for variably actuating the intake and exhaust valves and for operating the valves with an exhaust re-compression or exhaust re-breathing valve strategy. A spark plug is provided. A fuel injector having multiple injection capability is employed. A first fuel charge is injected into the combustion chamber to form a lean air-fuel mixture. A second fuel charge is injected into the combustion chamber to form a stratified air-fuel mixture having an ignitable mixture located near the spark plug.

Abstract: A method of operating a four-stroke gasoline direct-injection controlled auto-ignition combustion engine includes opening both the intake and exhaust valves during terminal portions of the expansion strokes and initial portions of the contraction strokes, injecting fuel directly into the combustion chamber for mixing with retained gases and igniting the fuel near the ends of the contraction strokes. In the process, combustion gases are expanded to produce power during major portions of the expansion strokes, combusted gases are blown down into the exhaust outlet and the air inlet and are partially redrawn into the cylinder with fresh air during the terminal portions of the expansion strokes so the air charges are heated by the hot exhaust gases. Portions of the charges re-expelled and the remaining portions of the charges and injected fuel are compressed for ignition of the dilute fuel/air and exhaust gas mixture. Substantial reductions of NOx emissions result from the method.

Abstract: Pharmaceutical compositions comprising a mixture of hyaluronic acid and liposomes. Preferably, the pharmaceutical compositions further include a pharmaceutically active substance such as cyclosporin A encapsulated in the liposomes. A method for preparing a pharmaceutical composition includes producing liposomes from phospholipids, preferably in the presence of a pharmaceutically active substance (most preferably cyclosporin A) to be encapsulated within the liposomes, and mixing the liposomes with hyaluronic acid. Pharmaceutical compositions of this invention are used, for example, to topically administer pharmaceutical agents effective to treat skin disorders by deposition of that agent in the dermis or sub-dermis while minimizing systemic circulation thereof. These compositions are also administered orally, parenterally and intrarectally.