Abstract: In a process for the selective production of meta-diisopropylbenzene, a C9+ aromatic hydrocarbon feedstock containing meta- and ortho-diisopropylbenzene is contacted with benzene under conversion conditions with a catalyst comprising a molecular sieve selected from the group consisting of zeolite beta, mordenite and a porous crystalline inorganic oxide material having an X-ray diffraction pattern including the d-spacing maxima at 12.4±0.25, 6.9±0.15, 3.57±0.07 and 3.42±0.07 Angstrom. The contacting step selectively converts ortho-diisopropylbenzene in the feedstock to produce an effluent in which the ratio of meta-diisopropylbenzene to ortho-diisopropylbenzene is greater than that of the feedstock. The effluent is the fed to a separation zone for recovery of a product rich in meta-diisopropylbenzene.

Abstract: A satellite communication system has a first deployment of a plurality of satellites deployed in a medium earth orbit and two later deployments of a plurality of satellites deployed in the medium earth orbit. The first deployment is spaced so that the second deployment may be easily deployed and interleaved into the first deployment. A ground terminal is used for communicating with the satellites in the first and second deployments.

Abstract: The invention provides antiviral compounds and compositions comprising a viral specific oligonucleotide. Also provided are methods to inhibit or treat viral infections with the compounds or compositions of the invention.

Abstract: Methods for increasing the efficiency of satellite constellation operations are disclosed. The steps of the present invention comprise calculating the maximum number of communications signals that each satellite in the satellite constellation can generate, determining an operational constraint on each satellite, the operational constraint limiting the number of communications signals that each satellite can radiate substantially simultaneously, determining an operational space for each satellite wherein the operational space is defined using the operational constraint and the calculated number of signals, and using the operational space for each satellite in the constellation to determine the operational point for the constellation.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided for detecting nucleic acid sequences. Probes comprising a crosslinking agent are combined with a sample which may comprise a target sequence which is complementary to the probe. Hybridization is allowed to occur between complementary sequences. The crosslinking agent is activated. Covalent bonds are formed between the probe and the target sequence if they are hybridized to one another. The crosslinked nucleic acids can then be detected to indicate the presence of the target sequence. Also provided are kits comprising reagents.

Abstract: There is described a process for the transalkylation of a polycycloalkyl aromatic compound, particularly the transalkylation of dicyclohexylbenzene to produce monocyclohexylbenzene. The process comprises contacting the polycycloalkyl aromatic compound with benzene in the presence of a catalyst selected from the group consisting of an acidic solid comprising a Group IVB metal oxide modified with an oxyanion of a Group VIBA metal oxide, TEA-mordenite, zeolite beta and a porous crystalline material having an X-ray diffraction pattern including d-spacing maxima at 12.4±0.25, 6.9±0.15, 3.57±0.07 and 3.42±0.07 Angstrom. Preferably the catalyst is a WOx/ZrO2 material.

Abstract: An electrical connector comprises a wafer integrally formed with a pair of terminal pairs and each pair configured by first and second terminals. The first terminal includes a first base portion having a first tail portion, and a first mating portion, the first tail and mating portions extending beyond the wafer. The second terminal includes a second base portion having a second tail portion, and a second mating portion, the second tail and mating portions extending beyond the wafer; wherein the first and second base portions of the first and second terminal are spaced apart from each other in a side-by-side arrangement.

Abstract: The method, apparatus, and system for controlling audio anomalies by using a mute switch 51 to prevent output of an auxiliary audio signal 21 in a television signal 20 with an auxiliary audio signal 21, such as a NICAM audio signal or dual language audio signal, adjacent to a first audio signal 22. The mute switch 51 operation is a function of the type of receiver 19 receiving television signal 20 and a function of verifying the presence of an auxiliary audio signal 21 in television signal 20. The present invention controls audio anomalies such as audio whistle and audio pop.

Abstract: A satellite communication system has a first deployment of a plurality of satellites deployed in a medium earth orbit and two later deployments of a plurality of satellites deployed in the medium earth orbit. The first deployment is spaced so that the second deployment may be easily deployed and interleaved into the first deployment. A ground terminal is used for communicating with the satellites in the first and second deployments.

Abstract: A highly efficient decoding method is derived to correct both erasures and errors for Reed-Solomon (RS) codes, which takes the advantages of the Euclidean algorithm and the BM algorithm. The new decoding method computes the errata locator polynomial and the errata evaluator polynomial simultaneously without performing the polynomial divisions, and there is no need to compute the discrepancies and the field element inversions. Also, separate computations of the erasure locator polynomial and the Forney syndromes are avoided. Moreover, a simple and fast process for a finite field multiplication and finite field inversion is provided.

Abstract: A flip-down ball-mount cover assembly (10) which functions in combination with a ball-mount (130) as is typically attached to a trailer and is inserted into a ball-mount receiver (120) that is attached to and extends from the rear of a vehicle. The assembly (10) consists of a detent hinge (50) having one end that is fastened to an assembly attachment collar (30) that attaches to the ball-mount receiver (120) and a second end that is attached to a receiver cover (12). When the vehicle is not towing a trailer the receiver cover (12) is hingedly pressed against the opening of the ball-mount receiver (120). When a ball-mount (130) is to be used, the receiver cover (12) is rotated downward from its closed position into an open position which remains open due to the detent action of the hinge (50). To enhance the utility and the aesthetics of the assembly (10) an indicia plate (108) can be fastened to the receiver cover (12) which allows the indicia to be viewed when the cover (12) is in the closed position.

Abstract: The present invention computes a discrete cosine transform (DCT), for example, an 18-point DCT in a fast and efficient manner. Furthermore, using this 18-point DCT method, two new methods are developed to compute the MDCT and its IMDCT, respectively. The number of multiplications and additions needed to implement both of these two new methods are reduced substantially.

Abstract: Thermostable peptidase enzyme derived from archaeon from the genus Pyrococcus is disclosed. The enzyme is produced from native or recombinant host cells and can be utilized in the biotechnology industry as a useful enzyme in sequencing reactions.

Abstract: The invention provides antiviral compounds and compositions comprising a viral specific oligonucleotide. Also provided are methods to inhibit or treat viral infections with the compounds or compositions of the invention.

Abstract: A receiver lock for a trailer box hitch designed to secure a ball mount in place and protect it from unauthorized removal. The receiver lock consists of a solid metallic cylindrical pin (20) with a head (28) on one end and round end (40) on the other end. The pin includes a body (22) with a notched recess (32) essentially adjacent to the head with a bore (38) running through the head and body communicating with the recess. A cam lobe (42) is located within the recess and has a shape that conforms to the body when in an unlocked position, and extends above the body when locked. A circular keyway lock (48) is placed in the bore in the head and held captive with a set screw (50). A hexagonal lock connecting rod (56) joins the cam lobe to the lock through the bore.

Abstract: A parallel search engine (30) able to receive commands via a search instruction input (44) and data words via a search data input (46). The commands received, which are optionally programmable, control operation of a data dispatch unit (58) and a result dispatch unit (66). The data words received are sent by the data dispatch unit (58) as search data (60) to a CAM module array (74) made up of CAM modules (62) interconnected by a cascade information bus (70) for comparison against pre-stored comparand databases (76). The CAM modules (62) of the CAM module array (74) provide search results (64) to the result dispatch unit (66) which generates results, typically multiple in parallel, at a result output (48). Optionally, multiple of the parallel search engines (30) may be cascaded by connection to an expansion bus (50) to form a mega search engine (88).

Abstract: The invention provides methods and compositions for polymerizing a particular nucleotide with a polymerase. In general, the method involves (a) forming a mixture of a polymerase and a nucleoside triphosphate (NTP) comprising &agr;, &bgr; and &ggr; phosphates and a &ggr;-phosphate phosphoester-linked functional group; and incubating the mixture under conditions wherein the polymerase catalyzes cleavage of the NTP between the &agr; and &bgr; phosphates, liberating a pyrophosphate comprising the functional group and polymerizing the resultant nucleoside monophosphate, i.e. incorporates the nucleoside monophosphate in a nascent polynucleotide. A variety of functional groups compatible with the polymerization reaction are provided.

Abstract: A satellite communication system has a first deployment of a plurality of satellites deployed in a medium earth orbit and two later deployments of a plurality of satellites deployed in the medium earth orbit. The first deployment is spaced so that the second deployment may be easily deployed and interleaved into the first deployment. A ground terminal is used for communicating with the satellites in the first and second deployments.

Abstract: An optical focusing device for focusing an incident optical beam onto a focal plane, as a focal spot. The optical focusing device includes an incident central refractive facet upon which an optical beam impinges, and a high-index glass body through which the incident optical beam passes toward a bottom reflective surface. The bottom reflective surface reflects the optical beam through the body, toward a peripheral reflector. The peripheral reflector focuses the optical beam toward a focal plane on which the focal spot is formed. The focal plane is defined within a pedestal that forms part of the optical focusing device, and that extends from the bottom reflective surface. The central facet is conically shaped for refracting the incident optical beam away from the pedestal, onto the bottom reflective surface.