Abstract: A female locking electrical outlet is provided including an outlet body having a pair of slots for apertured prongs of a standard male electrical plug, a central cavity positioned within the body, and a channel extending partially through the body. A plunger is mounted in the channel that has a recess in a lower end, an upper end, and a first section and a second section between the lower and upper ends. The first section has a smaller cross-sectional area than a second section. A spring is partially in the recess. A pair of locking balls is mounted within the central cavity and positional within apertures in the prongs when the outlet is in a locked position. At least one unlocking mechanism is provided for compressing the spring to transition the locking balls within the central cavity from the locked position to an unlocked position.

Abstract: A solution for mounting decoupling capacitors on a printed wiring board (PWB) used for mounting a high performance ball grid array (BGA) device is described. The via array that connects the BGA device is modified, the modification being that at least a portion of one row of said vias array is missing at least two adjacent vias. The missing vias are replaced by respective shared vias in an adjacent row, and the shared vias are connected to either a power supply or a power return. The shared vias are also provided with via pads on the other side of said PWB, and a decoupling capacitor can be electrically connected across the pair of via pads to decouple the power supply and the power return at the two adjacent vias.

Abstract: A process for converting lactose into polyols that includes (a) hydrolyzing lactose to produce a hydrolyzate that includes at least one monosaccharide, (b) subsequently hydrogenating the hydrolyzate to produce an alditol-containing intermediate composition, and (c) hydrogenolyzing the alditol-containing intermediate composition to produce at least one polyol.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and program storage device for providing data integrity using check data and other metadata on a formatted storage medium.

Abstract: An automation control module (ACM) includes an ACM central processing unit (CPU) and a web system electrically coupled to the ACM CPU. The web system is configured to process hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP) requests from a network such that a user on the network can at least one of program and configure the ACM using the network.

Abstract: An automation control module (ACM) includes an ACM central processing unit (CPU) and a SOAP/XML and web server system electrically coupled to the ACM CPU. The SOAP/XML and web server system is configured to process simple object access protocol (SOAP)/extensible markup language (XML) requests from a network.

Abstract: A method of determining the actual transmission rate in a variable transmission rate communication system is provided, using error detection metrics. The received symbols are decoded assuming each possible rate, and then re-encoded to determine a symbol error rate for each possible rate. The possible transmission rates are then narrowed down using a simple measure of the likelihood of error, such as the CRC status determined for each rate. The symbol error rates are compared to either make a confident decision as to the actual transmission rate or to erase the frame. Rather than compare the values of the symbol error rates with predetermined thresholds, the method compares the differences between the symbol error rates for each possible rate with predetermined thresholds. This results in fewer erasures, even if the symbol error rates are low due to high signal to noise ratios.

Abstract: A process for converting lactose into polyols that includes (a) hydrolyzing lactose to produce a hydrolyzate that includes at least one monosaccharide, (b) subsequently hydrogenating the hydrolyzate to produce an alditol-containing intermediate composition, and (c) hydrogenolyzing the alditol-containing intermediate composition to produce at least one polyol.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system for handling an input/output (I/O) operation. A controller, such as a storage controller, receives an I/O operation against an address for an I/O device, such as a volume in a storage system. The controller determines whether there is at least one active I/O operation executing against the I/O device. After determining that there is at least one active I/O operation, the controller determines whether the received I/O operation conflicts with active I/O operations executing against the I/O device. The controller then executes the received I/O operation against the I/O device concurrently with the active I/O operations after determining that the received I/O operation does not conflict with active I/O operations.

Abstract: A wood coring drill bit comprising a hollow tube having an internal bore (103) and an exterior (100) with equally spaced bodies (10) of substantially uniform width extending in a helical manner from a cutting end (10) of said drill bit, said bodies (10) defining equally spaced flutes (15) between the edges of adjacent bodies (10), each body (10) comprising a land (20) upstanding from a relief (21) at the leading edge of the body (10), a respective cutting face (12) and associated lip (25) being formed at the end of each body (10) at said cutting end. The wood coring drill bit is characterized by having three equally spaced bodies (10) and flutes (15) said cutting face (12) has an included angle which is preferably 125.degree. for hardwood and drywood and 112.degree. for softwood. The lip (25) has a lip clearance angle that is about 6.degree..+-.1.degree. , the lands (20) on the bodies (10) extend for an axial distance of about 65 mm.+-.

Abstract: This invention provides a vector for expression of a nucleic acid cassette in bronchial epithelial and vascular endothelial cells comprising a segment of the 5'-flanking region of the preproendothelin-1 gene, upstream from the transcription start site, the first exon of the preproendothelin-1 gene, and a nucleic acid cassette, wherein the nucleic acid cassette is located within the first exon, in sequential and positional relationship for expression of the nucleic acid cassette.

Abstract: A mounting system, for supporting semiconductor process gas delivery and control components for assembly and use as a gas stick, aligns the connection union seals between fittings on adjacent components to absorb accumulated stresses resulting from manufacturing tolerances and reduce the likelihood of seal leakage. Components are mounted on individual upper clamp members which are secured to lower clamp members to form a slidable but non-rotatable radially aligned yoke around a rigid elongate support member for subsequent longitudinal positioning and joining of adjacent fittings.

Abstract: A simplified and compact remote control unit is presented. A light transmissive crystal, mounted to the housing, is unitary with one of the operative buttons with a flexible hinge therebetween so that a portion of the crystal serves as at least one of the operative buttons.

Abstract: A video disc player is fitted with a mechanism for detenting a stylus carriage against a travel limit stop. The detent mechanism includes a toothed member disposed on the carriage which engages a toothed wheel. The wheel is spring loaded such that in a certain carriage position the spring exerts a force on the carriage through the wheel, which urges the carriage against the limit stop. The detent mechanism impedes possible bounce back of the carriage.

Abstract: In a record player, one end of a tubular shaft is attached to a turntable. A follower member is disposed within the tubular shaft near the free end thereof such that a portion of the follower member extends beyond the shaft for engagement with the base of the player. The follower member is captured in the tubular shaft, but is free to float up and down. Disposed inside the tubular shaft is a threaded cap on which the follower member rides. The threaded cap is provided with a hex socket which is accessible from the top of the turntable through a central opening therein. A hex wrench is inserted through the tubular shaft and the cap is turned to adjust the turntable height.

Abstract: In video disc players, a turntable is raised and lowered by means of an actuating cam to transfer a record retained inside the player between the turntable and a record receiving means. A spring-loaded member is disposed underneath the turntable for engagement therewith as the turntable is lowered for reducing the force exerted by the turntable on the actuating cam.

Abstract: In abstract a preferred embodiment of this invention is either a generally cubical or cylindrical shaped insulated cooler with a plurality of latch means for securing thereto a combination tackle box, bait well and seat means on the upper portion thereof. Means are provided for giving ready access to the cooler portion of the present invention as well as providing for maintaining perishable bait in a cooled condition without contaminating ice and other products contained within the cooler reservoir.

Abstract: A record extracting mechanism for a video disc player includes latch arms which alternate between (1) a retracted condition permitting arrival of a package at a fully inserted position in the player, and (2) an extended condition precluding a removal from the player of a record during a package withdrawal subsequent to an occupied package arrival at the fully inserted position, whereby a record enclosed in the package is retained in the player. The player includes means for alternating the latch arms between the two conditions in response to each package insertion into the player.

Abstract: Substances for combatting diseases and pests in plants are injected into the body of the plant from an aerosol generating device. The droplets then disperse through the body of the plant.