Abstract: Apparatus and methods for noninvasive spectroscopic measurement of an analyte in a subject that have been optimized for producing uniform and repeatable tissue modulation across test subjects and for the same test subject on different occasions are provided. The apparatus comprises an ergonomically shaped grip that substantially conforms to a subject's hand; a surface for placement of at least one of the subject's fingertips upon grasping the grip; and an optically transparent aperture, or a plurality of apertures, disposed within the surface. A modification to the surface of the apparatus adjacent to the aperture that is detectable via the tactile sense of the subject can be added to provide tactile feedback to the subject to guide correct placement of the fingertip over the aperture. The apparatus and methods can also incorporate feedback methods to guide and optimize placement and conditions of the fingertip to further improve accuracy of measurements.

Abstract: A membrane filtration system comprising one or more submerged ultrafiltration or microfiltration membrane assemblies at ambient pressure,with mixed liquor is discharged underneath each membrane assembly. In a sequenced batch reactor system, a coarse bubble air diffuser for scouring each membrane assembly is supplied with air only during the backwash cycle of the filtration system and not during the filtration cycle. In a membrane bioreactor system, the biological treatment section is physically separated from the filtration section and fine bubble air diffusion is used in the biological treatment section.

Abstract: A membrane filtration system comprising one or more submerged ultrafiltration or microfiltration membrane assemblies at ambient pressure, each membrane assembly positioned 100–240 mm from a nearest wall, baffle, or adjacent membrane assembly and no more than 1 meter above a floor and at least 150 mm below the liquid level. Mixed liquor is discharged underneath each membrane assembly to create a vertical flow velocity in a range of 1–8 mm/second along an entire length of the membrane assembly. In a sequenced batch reactor system, a coarse bubble air diffuser for scouring each membrane assembly is supplied with air only during the backwash cycle of the filtration system and not during the filtration cycle. In a membrane bioreactor system, the biological treatment section is physically separated from the filtration section and fine bubble air diffusion is used in the biological treatment section.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an ESD protection circuit comprises a switchable current sinking circuit connected to a positive ESD clamp rail voltage, which may be a power supply voltage, and a single trigger control circuit coupled to a control connection of the switchable current sinking circuit. The single trigger control circuit may be configured to couple the control connection of the switchable current sinking circuit to a negative ESD clamp rail voltage, which may be signal ground, during an ESD event occurring on the positive ESD clamp rail connection. In one embodiment, the switchable current sinking circuit is capable of sinking large amounts of current, and the ESD protection circuit is tolerant of rail voltages that exceed the breakdown voltage of semiconductor devices used in constructing the ESD circuit. In one embodiment, the single trigger control circuit is implemented with a single n-well, thereby minimizing the amount of required silicon area during fabrication of the ESD protection circuit.

Abstract: A membrane filtration system comprising one or more submerged ultrafiltration or microfiltration membrane assemblies at ambient pressure, each membrane assembly positioned 100–240 mm from a nearest wall, baffle, or adjacent membrane assembly and no more than 1 meter above a floor and at least 150 mm below the liquid level. Mixed liquor is discharged underneath each membrane assembly to create a vertical flow velocity in a range of 1–8 mm/second along an entire length of the membrane assembly. In a sequenced batch reactor system, a coarse bubble air diffuser for scouring each membrane assembly is supplied with air only during the backwash cycle of the filtration system and not during the filtration cycle. In a membrane bioreactor system, the biological treatment section is physically separated from the filtration section and fine bubble air diffusion is used in the biological treatment section.

Abstract: A membrane filtration system comprising one or more submerged ultrafiltration or microfiltration membrane assemblies at ambient pressure, each membrane assembly positioned 100-240 mm from a nearest wall, baffle, or adjacent membrane assembly and no more than 1 meter above a floor and at least 150 mm below the liquid level. Mixed liquor is discharged underneath each membrane assembly to create a vertical flow velocity in a range of 1-8 mm/second along an entire length of the membrane assembly. In a sequenced batch reactor system, a coarse bubble air diffuser for scouring each membrane assembly is supplied with air only during the backwash cycle of the filtration system and not during the filtration cycle. In a membrane bioreactor system, the biological treatment section is physically separated from the filtration section and fine bubble air diffusion is used in the biological treatment section.

Abstract: Various methods and systems are provided below for the treatment of wastewater. According to various embodiments, treatment of wastewater is accomplished using the oxidative power of ozone gas and the interaction between ozone gas, FOGS, and large amounts of surfactants already present in wastewaters to be treated. According to various embodiments of the invention, a combination of oxidation, UV disinfection, and/or biological trickling filtration is used to provide a fact acting treatment for wastewater. These methods and systems generally enable reduced footprint in relation to the volumes treated, reduced cost, and increased efficiency. Various alternative embodiments are also disclosed.

Abstract: Various methods and systems are provided below for the treatment of wastewater. According to various embodiments, treatment of wastewater is accomplished using the oxidative power of ozone gas and the interaction between ozone gas, FOGS, and large amounts of surfactants already present in wastewaters to be treated. According to various embodiments of the invention, a combination of oxidation and UV disinfection is used to provide a fact acting treatment for wastewater. These methods and systems generally enable reduced footprint in relation to the volumes treated, reduced cost, and increased efficiency. Various alternative embodiments are also disclosed.

Abstract: Various methods and systems are provided below for the treatment of wastewater. According to various embodiments, treatment of wastewater is accomplished using the oxidative power of ozone gas and the interaction between ozone gas, FOGS, and large amounts of surfactants already present in wastewaters to be treated. According to various embodiments of the invention, a combination of oxidation and UV disinfection is used to provide a fact acting treatment for wastewater. These methods and systems generally enable reduced footprint in relation to the volumes treated, reduced cost, and increased efficiency. Various alternative embodiments are also disclosed.

Abstract: A membrane filtration system comprising one or more submerged ultrafiltration or microfiltration membrane assemblies at ambient pressure, each membrane assembly positioned 100-240 mm from a nearest wall, baffle, or adjacent membrane assembly and no more than 1 meter above a floor and at least 150 mm below the liquid level. Mixed liquor is discharged underneath each membrane assembly to create a vertical flow velocity in a range of 1-8 mm/second along an entire length of the membrane assembly. In a sequenced batch reactor system, a coarse bubble air diffuser for scouring each membrane assembly is supplied with air only during the backwash cycle of the filtration system and not during the filtration cycle. In a membrane bioreactor system, the biological treatment section is physically separated from the filtration section and fine bubble air diffusion is used in the biological treatment section.

Abstract: A constant-current AC regulator comprises a switching network including two pulse-width modulator (PWM) transistors and two half-cycle transistors, a PWM transistor driver circuit, a main power transformer with two primary windings, a current sensing network, and an electronic control unit. The control unit generates a multiple pulse train signal with pulse widths based on the difference between the instantaneous load current and a predetermined design load current. The PWM transistor driver converts the pulse train signal into voltage signals appropriate for driving the PWM transformers of the switching network. The instantaneous load current is measured by the current sensing network Each set of a PWM transistor plus a half-cycle transistor carries current during a portion, e.g. half of the AC cycle. Only one primary winding is energized at any instant. Each transistor is preferably an IGBT transistor, and each pair of PWM transistor plus half-cycle transistor may comprise a dual IGBT chip.

Abstract: New porphyrins and chlorins including bacteriochlorins, for photodynamic therapy.

Abstract: Improvements in connector headers of implantable medical devices (IMDS) for making electrical and mechanical connections with a connector element of a proximal connector assembly of an electrical medical lead and components thereof are disclosed. A connector block disposed within a header body of the connector header has a threaded bore aligned with a header grommet aperture and a connector block bore aligned with a header connector bore. A penetrable grommet is disposed within the header grommet aperture, and a setscrew is threaded into the threaded bore having a setscrew socket disposed to be engaged by the tool inserted through the penetrable grommet within the header grommet aperture to enable rotation of the setscrew within the threaded bore to tighten the setscrew against or to loosen the setscrew from a lead connector element received in the header connector bore.

Abstract: A fuel control system, battle override valve and a method of controlling bypass fuel in a fuel system are disclosed. A battle override valve 30 for an engine fuel system 10 includes a metering valve 50 having a rate limiting function providing for control of a slew rate during an operation of the battle override valve 30. A transfer valve 70 having a manual fuel control operating position and a normal fuel control operating position permits a flow of fuel between the metering valve 50 and the transfer valve 70. The transfer valve 70 is controlled between the normal fuel control operating position and the manual fuel control operating position in order to regulate a flow of fuel during a manual or bypass fuel system 10 operation.

Abstract: A constant-current AC regulator comprises a switching network including two pulse-width modulator (PWM) transistors and two half-cycle transistors, a PWM transistor driver circuit, a main power transformer with two primary windings, a current sensing network, and an electronic control unit. The control unit generates a multiple pulse train signal with pulse widths based on the difference between the instantaneous load current and a predetermined design load current. The PWM transistor driver converts the pulse train signal into voltage signals appropriate for driving the PWM transformers of the switching network. The instantaneous load current is measured by the current sensing network Each set of a PWM transistor plus a half-cycle transistor carries current during a portion, e.g. half of the AC cycle. Only one primary winding is energized at any instant. Each transistor is preferably an IGBT transistor, and each pair of PWM transistor plus half-cycle transistor may comprise a dual IGBT chip.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a novel thermokinetic mixer. In one form of the invention, the mixing chamber shaft projections are removable at least in part and replaceable without cutting the projections from the shaft. In another form of the invention, only a tip portion of such projections are removable and replaceable without such cutting. In yet another form of the invention, shaft projections into the mixing chamber comprise a tooth having a substantially reticulated face forming a deflecting surface such that substantially all mixing chamber particles encountering the tooth strike and are deflected at an incident substantially lateral angle from the deflecting surface.

Abstract: A system is provide for effectively managing lease transactions in a comprehensive manner. Data is generated, processed, and stored at the lowest possible logical level in order to maximize the flexibility of a user to conduct processing at the asset, billing schedule, lease, account owner, master agreement, customer, or program level. Using a fully normalized data design, similar characteristics are treated similarly and different characteristics are treated differently. Unlike other systems, assets associated with the same lease can be treated differently without having to fake asset level processing by using multiple leases with one asset each, to represent one actual lease. A hierarchy of rule settings is enforced, whereby the rule at the lower more specific level trumps the rule at the higher or more general level. The system uses a highly encapsulated accounting engine which encapsulates accounting rules in a transparent incorporates accounting expertise in flexible and transparent manner.

Abstract: A system is provide for effectively managing lease transactions in a comprehensive manner. Data is generated, processed, and stored at the lowest possible logical level in order to maximize the flexibility of a user to conduct processing at the asset, billing schedule, lease, account owner, master agreement, customer, or program level. Using a fully normalized data design, similar characteristics are treated similarly and different characteristics are treated differently. Unlike other systems, assets associated with the same lease can be treated differently without having to fake asset level processing by using multiple leases with one asset each, to represent one actual lease. A hierarchy of rule settings is enforced, whereby the rule at the lower more specific level trumps the rule at the higher or more general level. The system uses a highly encapsulated accounting engine which encapsulates accounting rules in a transparent incorporates accounting expertise in flexible and transparent manner.

Abstract: A system is provide for effectively managing lease transactions in a comprehensive manner. Data is generated, processed, and stored at the lowest possible logical level in order to maximize the flexibility of a user to conduct processing at the asset, billing schedule, lease, account owner, master agreement, customer, or program level. Using a fully normalized data design, similar characteristics are treated similarly and different characteristics are treated differently. Unlike other systems, assets associated with the same lease can be treated differently without having to fake asset level processing by using multiple leases with one asset each, to represent one actual lease. A hierarchy of rule settings is enforced, whereby the rule at the lower more specific level trumps the rule at the higher or more general level. The system uses a highly encapsulated accounting engine which encapsulates accounting rules in a transparent incorporates accounting expertise in flexible and transparent manner.

Abstract: An alarm system for the interior of a vehicle utilizing a temperature sensor measuring the interior temperature of the vehicle and producing a signal when a certain level of temperature is reached. A sound detector also produces a second signal representative of a certain sound intensity within the interior of the vehicle. An AND gate circuit receives the signals from the temperature sensor and the sound detector and generates an output signal. Alarm means is triggered by the output signal of the AND gate circuit.