Abstract: An independent rear suspension system is provided that has a trailing arm connected between a frame rail and a wheel support knuckle. A lower control arm is connected between a frame cross member and the knuckle. The suspension system also includes an upper link that extends between the frame rail and the knuckle. The toe link and upper link are generally vertically aligned. A stabilizer bar extends between the toe link and upper link and is connected to the lower control arm outboard of the shock and spring to reduce space requirements for the suspension system forward of the wheel support knuckle. The lower control arm is elongated and attached to the frame cross member inboard of the frame rails to improve the ratio of wheel travel to shock travel.

Abstract: A charged particle beam apparatus and method for locally removing material from a predetermined location on a workpiece, such as the removal of a metallization layer covering an alignment mark on a wafer. The invention is particularly suited for high-volume mass production of semiconductor chips or electromechanical devices. According to one embodiment of the invention, a layer of material covering an alignment mark on a wafer is removed by ion beam sputtering using a non-LMIS beam directed at an oblique angle to the sample surface.

Abstract: A cyclist training system having a polymeric pivoting assembly which is adapted to allow a cyclist of a bicycle to nutate about the perpendicular axis when exerting lateral forces on the bicycle. The cyclist training system includes a tubular base support, a tubular bicycle support; and means to securely retain the bicycle within the cyclist training system. The polymeric pivoting assembly couples the tubular bicycle support to the tubular base support and is constructed from a polyurethane elastomer. Various embodiments of the polymeric pivoting assembly are provided having Shore A hardness in the range of 40-90 durameters and Shore D hardness in the range of 45-65 durameters. The polymeric pivoting assembly minimizes the unnatural bounce provided by other cyclist training systems known in the relevant art.

Abstract: A system and method for classifying channels in a frequency hopping wireless communication system is provided. A data collection engine operates to obtain channel metrics indicating the level of interference for each channel used by the wireless communication system. A data analysis engine operates to provide a channel map for adaptive frequency hopping (AFH) and/or a channel map for channel avoidance. More specifically, the data analysis engine first operates to filter the channel metrics to remove channel metrics indicative of frequency hopping interference. Next, the channels are divided into a number of channel blocks each including at least two adjacent channels. For each channel block, the channel metrics of the channels within the channel block are combined to provide a metric sum. The data analysis engine then operates to classify each channel as usable or unusable based on the metric sums for each of the channel blocks.

Abstract: Provided are lipid antiinfective formulations substantially free of anionic lipids with a lipid to antiinfective ratio is about 1:1 to about 4:1, and a mean average diameter of less than about 1 ?m. Also provided is a method of preparing a lipid antiinfective formulation comprising an infusion process. Also provided are lipid antiinfective formulations wherein the lipid to drug ratio is about 1:1 or less, about 0.75:1 or less, or about 0.50:1 or less prepared by an in line fusion process. The present invention also relates to a method of treating a patient with a pulmonary infection comprising administering to the patient a therapeutically effective amount of a lipid antiinfective formulation of the present invention. The present invention also relates to a method of treating a patient for cystic fibrosis comprising administering to the patient a therapeutically effective amount of a lipid antiinfective formulation of the present invention.

Abstract: A rotary drill bit is disclosed, including at least one cutting element affixed thereto and configured to form a distinct borehole surface in response to drilling a subterranean formation. At least one substantially helically extending feature associated with the at least one cutting element may be formed upon the leading end of the rotary drill bit. Alternatively, a rotary drill bit may include a plurality of substantially helically extending features. Methods of operating a rotary drill bit are also disclosed. Specifically, a subterranean formation may be drilled with a rotary drill bit to form an on-center bottomhole pattern, which may be at least partially contacted by at least one substantially helically extending feature of the rotary drill bit. Alternatively, a subterranean formation may be contacted with at least one substantially helically extending feature of the rotary drill bit. A method of designing a rotary drill bit is disclosed.

Abstract: Apparatus such as a furnace muffle (11) for use in a CVI/CVD furnace. The apparatus includes a bottom (12), a top (13), and an outer wall (3) defining an interior space (1) in the apparatus, and a passive heat distribution element (7, 9) located within the interior space (1) and apart from the outer wall (3). Preferably, the bottom (12) and top (12) include perforated plates and the outer wall (3) is cylindrical in shape and all are made of graphite or carbon-carbon composite material and the passive heat distribution element (7, 9) is cylindrical in shape and includes graphite or carbon-carbon composite discs having no spacers therebetween.

Abstract: A robotic system that includes a mobile robot and a remote input device. The input device may be a joystick that is used to move a camera and a mobile platform of the robot. The system may operate in a mode where the mobile platform moves in a camera reference coordinate system. The camera reference coordinate system is fixed to a viewing image provided by the camera so that movement of the robot corresponds to a direction viewed on a screen. This prevents disorientation during movement of the robot if the camera is panned across a viewing area.

Abstract: Methods, compositions articles of manufacture, and kits for characterizing biomolecular interactions are provided. The interactions may involve various combinations of proteins, lipids, carbohydrates and small molecules. For example, interactions between polynucleotide segments and polynucleotide binding protein(s) may be characterized.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention is directed to a numerically controlled oscillator. The numerically controlled oscillator comprises: a phase accumulator for receiving an input digital word; and a phase to amplitude converter that is operatively coupled to the phase accumulator to receive a first phase signal and a second phase signal, the phase to amplitude converter calculating a sine value and a cosine value of each of the first and second phase signals, the phase to amplitude converter generating a summation of (i) a product of the sine value of the first phase signal and the cosine value of the second phase signal and (ii) a product of the sine value of the second phase signal and the cosine value of the first phase signal.

Abstract: A pressure sensor integrated onto an electronic circuit substrate. The pressure sensor measures the effect of the ambient air pressure on a characteristic of the pressure sensor that can be translated into a variable pressure measurement. Another embodiment of the pressure sensor is a pressure switch having a set point that can be configured at, or after, the time of installation of the associated circuit substrate.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions comprising at least one GHB moiety bonded to at least one physiologically compatible carrier molecule. The compositions can enhance the uptake of the drug, deliver effective therapeutic doses in a time-delayed fashion, or can target specific organs.

Abstract: In a method and system for imaging using multiple apertures, the present invention uses an array of lens elements to form the aperture for a high resolution imaging system. The light from each lens element is properly phased and reduced in volume to form a compact imaging system that captures images with higher resolution than possible with each individual element, potentially the resolution will correspond to an aperture equivalent to the size of the lens array.

Abstract: A charged particle beam apparatus and method for locally removing material from a predetermined location on a workpiece, such as the removal of a metallization layer covering an alignment mark on a wafer. The invention is particularly suited for high-volume mass production of semiconductor chips or electromechanical devices. According to one embodiment of the invention, a layer of material covering an alignment mark on a wafer is removed by ion beam sputtering using a non-LMIS beam directed at an oblique angle to the sample surface.

Abstract: An inhalation system comprising an antiinfective agent in particle form, the antiinfective agent being directed toward prevention and treatment of intracellular infection, and an inhalation device, and a method of use of the system.

Abstract: A method of preparing a liposomal bioactive agent comprising infusing an lipid-ethanol mixture with an aqueous or ethanolic solution of the bioactive agent at a temperature below the phase transition of at least one of the lipid components of the lipid and compositions produced by the method of the invention.

Abstract: A robotic medical system that provides a visual indication of the force exerted by an end effector of the system. The end effector is coupled to a robotic arm that is controlled by a handle. The end effector is inserted through an incision of a patient to perform a minimally invasive procedure. The surgeon can view the procedure on a screen that is coupled to an endoscope also inserted into the patient. The visual indicator may be a bar graph displayed on the screen. The bar graph has individual bar segments that are illuminated in accordance with the amplitude of the force exerted by the end effector. The visual force indicator provides a high resolution force feedback system for the instrument end effector.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the formate transport system in gram-positive microorganisms and provides methods for the production of products in a gram-positive microorganism. The present invention also provides the nucleic acid and amino acid sequences of FTAP 1 and FTAP 2 which are associated with formate transport.