Abstract: Occupant sensing system (12) for detecting the presence of an occupant within an automotive vehicle (10) includes a seat belt sensor (14) for detecting a buckled condition of the seat belt. An ignition sensor (24) generates an ignition-off signal. An indicator (30) is coupled to a controller (20), the seat belt sensor (22), and the ignition sensor (18). The controller controls the indicator in response to the seat belt buckled signal and ignition-off signal.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a radiographic apparatus that utilizes a single integral housing for providing an evacuated envelope for an anode and cathode assembly. The integral housing provides sufficient radiation blocking and heat transfer characteristics such that an additional external housing is not required. The integral housing is air cooled, and thus does not utilize any coolant. In addition, the integral housing is insulated with a potting material, which electrically insulates the integral housing and its components, and also limits the amount of noise emitted from the housing during operation. In an alternative embodiment, enhanced thermal and electrically insulating properties are achieved through the use of a potting material disposed in selected areas of the tube interior. The potting material cooperates with optimized airflow through the tube assembly to effectively and continuously remove heat therefrom.

Abstract: This invention relates to single nucleotide polymorphisms in the human urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR) gene and corresponding novel allelic polypeptides encoded thereby. The invention also relates to methods and materials for analysing allelic variation in the uPAR gene and to the use of said polymorphism in the diagnosis and treatment of uPAR ligand mediated diseases, such as cancer or arthritis.

Abstract: An improved position control for a solenoid actuated valve, wherein the solenoid is activated based on the combination of a feed-forward component based on a model of the steady state operation of the valve and a closed-loop feedback component that responds to changes in the commanded position and compensates for any inaccuracy in the steady state model. The method involves a valve characterization procedure in which the actual force generated by the solenoid is measured for various combinations of valve position and solenoid current, resulting in a table of coil current in terms of developed force and valve position. In operation, the model is used to estimate the solenoid force required to achieve the commanded valve position under steady state operating conditions, and a controller addresses the table to obtain a feed-forward coil current command as a function of the commanded valve position and the estimated solenoid force.

Abstract: A method for the reproduction of oversize documents is disclosed. The method utilized by the present invention copies or scans in stages an oversize document that exceeds the copy or scan surface of the image reproduction apparatus available. Each separate document portion copied or scanned is saved as an image in memory. After all of the oversize document has been copied or scanned, the images of the document portions are reassembled, aligned and reduced in size, if necessary. The reassembled document may then be printed for a user or manipulated in memory using image processing software.

Abstract: Tamper-evident electric paper is made of two sheets of electric paper bonded together, the bottom sheet of which includes a pattern. Any attempt to erase a writing on the top sheet of electric paper results in the pattern on the bottom sheet of electric paper being erased. Therefore any tampering by erasure of a writing on the tamper-evident electric paper is revealed by the absence of a portion of the pattern on the bottom sheet of electric paper. Single sheet tamper-evident electric paper has a complex pattern, such as an encryption, printed on a single sheet of electric paper. Any attempt to erase a writing on the electric paper also erases a portion of the encryption, thereby providing evidence of tampering.

Abstract: An automated system and method for developing an increased level of associate accountability in a production process by obtaining a performance projection from the associate, inputting this projection data into a computer system, obtaining and inputting actual performance data into the system and utilizing the system to compare the associate's projected performance to the associate's actual performance. The system and method of the present invention provides timely, objective and quantitative feedback to the production process associate. This feedback is subsequently used as a pay for performance incentive program.

Abstract: An improved internal combustion engine fuel control wherein a single oxygen sensor responsive to the combined exhaust gas flow of several engine cylinders is used both to control the overall or average air/fuel ratio, and to trim the air/fuel ratio in the individual engine cylinders. The oxygen sensor output is sampled in synchronism with the engine firing events, but at twice (or higher) the frequency, and filtered by an engine speed dependent high-pass filter to form a measure of the air/fuel ratio imbalance with respect to time. The imbalance signal, in turn, is parsed into an array of imbalance values that are associated with individual engine cylinders based on engine operating conditions, and the imbalance values are then used to develop correction factors for the respective engine cylinders that reduce the imbalance while preserving the overall or average air/fuel ratio of the engine.

Abstract: Novel 4-1BB ligand (4-1BB-L) polypeptides and a human cell surface receptor designated 4-1BB that binds 4-1BB-L are provided. Isolated 4-1BB-L-encoding and human 4-1BB-encoding DNA sequences, recombinant expression vectors comprising the isolated DNA sequences, and host cells transformed with the recombinant expression vectors are disclosed, along with methods for producing the novel polypeptides by cultivating such transformed host cells. Soluble forms of the 4-1BB-L or 4-1BB polypeptides are derived from the extracellular domains thereof.

Abstract: The present invention provides a chassis mount for mounting an electronic equipment chassis to a rack that has parallel mounting columns with opposing front and rear flanges. The chassis mount has front brackets that are fixedly attached to the electronic equipment chassis and positively engageable with the front flanges of the mounting columns. The chassis mount also has rear brackets movably attached to the electronic equipment chassis and locatable proximate to the rear flanges of the mounting columns. A binding mechanism is coupled to the front and rear brackets to form a clamp therewith that binds the columns between the front and rear brackets and secures the electronic equipment chassis to the rack.

Abstract: Tamper-evident electric paper is made of two sheets of electric paper bonded together, the bottom sheet of which includes a pattern. Any attempt to erase a writing on the top sheet of electric paper results in the pattern on the bottom sheet of electric paper being erased. Therefore any tampering by erasure of a writing on the tamper-evident electric paper is revealed by the absence of a portion of the pattern on the bottom sheet of electric paper. Single sheet tamper-evident electric paper has a complex pattern, such as an encryption, printed on a single sheet of electric paper. Any attempt to erase a writing on the electric paper also erases a portion of the encryption, thereby providing evidence of tampering.

Abstract: An improved control methodology for an engine control valve, in which the valve is positioned in response to a commanded flow rate of the controlled medium. The method involves a valve characterization procedure in which the actual flow rate is measured for various combinations of valve position and pressure ratio across the valve, subject to a standard set of upstream pressure and temperature values. This results in a table of valve position in terms of pressure ratio and standard flow rate—that is, flow rate under the standard upstream pressure and temperature values. In operation, a controller addresses the table to obtain the desired valve position as a function of a determined pressure ratio across the valve, and a desired standard flow rate determined based on the commanded flow rate and the pressure and temperature of the controlled medium upstream of the valve, relative to the standard pressure and temperature values.

Abstract: An accessory system for a ductwork cleaning machine that utilizes a vacuum hose having a rotating cleaning brush the vacuum and the power for the rotating brush being supplied from a remote power unit with a rotating drive cable being located within the vacuum hose. The accessories permit more efficient operation of the ductwork cleaning system. The first accessory is an improved nozzle for mounting the rotating brush which permits large vacuum openings without the risk of an operator becoming entangled with the rotating cable. A second accessory prevents the cable from withdrawing within the vacuum hose when the hose is disconnected from the power unit. The third to accessory is attached to the power unit and guides the guide cable into place as the vacuum hose is attached to the power unit.

Abstract: A system for treating a patient's heart which comprises a means to form channels in the heart wall and a means to deliver a therapeutic or diagnostic agent into the channels. Additionally, the system may comprise a means to retain the agent within the channels for a useful period of time. The system may be configured to be introduced percutaneously or intraoperatively. The system generally comprises an elongated, flexible lasing transmission means having a laser radiation emitting means and an delivery lumen opening at the distal end. Practice of the invention comprises forming channels in the heart wall and delivering a therapeutic or diagnostic agent into the channel. Gene therapy agents of this invention comprise vectors for transferring genetic information to the heart tissue in vivo or harvested cells which have been genetically engineered in vitro. Additionally, the invention may comprise retaining the agent within the channels, for example, by incorporating the agent in a viscous carrier.

Abstract: Tumor necrosis factor receptor proteins, DNAs and expression vectors encoding TNF receptors, and processes for producing TNF receptors as products of recombinant cell culture, are disclosed.

Abstract: Tumor necrosis factor receptor proteins, DNAs and expression vectors encoding TNF receptors, and processes for producing TNF receptors as products of recombinant cell culture, are disclosed.

Abstract: There is disclosed a polypeptide (CD30-L) and DNA sequences, vectors and transformed host cells useful in providing CD30-L polypeptides. The CD30-L polypeptide binds to the receptor known as CD30, which is expressed on a number of cell types, among which are Hodgkin's Disease tumor cells, large cell anaplastic lymphoma cells, adult T-cell leukemia (T-ALL) cells, and a number of other malignant cell types. CD30-L polypeptides find use as carriers for delivering diagnostic and cytotoxic agents to cells expressing the CD30 receptor.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting random electrostatic discharge events is disclosed in which the electrostatic discharge indicator is "Electric Paper". The "Electric Paper" has a plurality of spheres having one hemisphere of one color and the other hemisphere of another color. The spheres rotate when an electric field is applied to them and are sensitive enough to respond to electrostatic discharge events. The "Electric Paper" may be pre-imaged so that a pattern indicating the state of the paper is visually ascertainable.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an inventory control method and architecture that maximizes revenues derived from the sale of a given inventory resource to a customer. More particularly, the present invention uses a continuous nested execution environment that allows a determination of a minimum acceptable price by continuously computing an optimal sale price based on current demand and supply and expected cancellations. The method described accesses a centrally located information repository and retrieves an inventory resource type and value allowing requests below the minimum acceptable price to be rejected, while requests above the minimum acceptable price can be accepted thus allowing the resource provider to maximize incoming revenues from the sale of its inventory of reservations.

Abstract: Tumor necrosis factor receptor DNAs and expression vectors encoding TNF receptors, and processes for producing TNF receptors as products of recombinant cell culture, are disclosed.