Abstract: A power control system for use with an electric lock mechanism including an actuator having a coil with a particular coil impedance. The power control system comprises a power supply configured to provide an output voltage having a drive current to the actuator, a credential device powered by the power supply and configured to signal the power supply to provide the output voltage upon receiving an authorized access code, an actuator driver including a multiple-gain current-sensing circuit, and a microcontroller configured to monitor and control the power supply, credential device, actuator driver, and actuator, and determine the impedance of the coil. The microcontroller is populated by a look-up table having performance data for a plurality of coils such that the microcontroller selects a duty ratio to establish the optimum magnitude of drive current to the coil based only on the determined impedance of the coil.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to an apparatus and method for treating a bowel obstruction. An example apparatus includes first and second tong elements forming a pair of tong elements pivotally connected at a junction point and movable between an opened and a closed position. Each tong element defines a distal end and a proximal end and a body extending therebetween. The distal end of the first tong element defines a first collection half element and the distal end of the second tong element defines a second collection half element. The first and second collection half element form a collection element when the pair of tong elements are in the closed position, which defines an inwardly facing cavity. A plurality of laterally extending substantially parabolic grasping teeth span an interior of the first and second collection half elements and define a laterally extending substantially parabolic grasping edge.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to an apparatus and method for treating a bowel obstruction. An example apparatus includes a first tong element and a second tong element forming a pair of tong elements pivotally connected at a junction point and movable between an opened position and a closed position. Each tong element defines a distal end and a proximal end and a body extending therebetween. The distal end of the first tong element defines a first collection half element and the distal end of the second tong element defines a second collection half element. The first collection half element and the second collection half element form a collection element when the pair of tong elements are in the closed position, which defines an inwardly facing cavity. At least one of an interior of the first collection half element or an interior of the second collection half element define a plurality of grasping teeth.

Abstract: A power control system for use with an electric lock mechanism including an actuator having a coil with a particular coil impedance. The power control system comprises a power supply configured to provide an output voltage having a drive current to the actuator, a credential device powered by the power supply and configured to signal the power supply to provide the output voltage upon receiving an authorized access code, an actuator driver including a multiple-gain current-sensing circuit, and a microcontroller configured to monitor and control the power supply, credential device, actuator driver, and actuator, and determine the impedance of the coil. The microcontroller is populated by a look-up table having performance data for a plurality of coils such that the microcontroller selects a duty ratio to establish the optimum magnitude of drive current to the coil based only on the determined impedance of the coil.

Abstract: A power control system for use with an electric lock mechanism including an actuator having a coil with a particular coil impedance. The power control system comprises a power supply configured to provide an output voltage having a drive current to the actuator, a credential device powered by the power supply and configured to signal the power supply to provide the output voltage upon receiving an authorized access code, an actuator driver including a multiple-gain current-sensing circuit, and a microcontroller configured to monitor and control the power supply, credential device, actuator driver, and actuator, and determine the impedance of the coil. The microcontroller is populated by a look-up table having performance data for a plurality of coils such that the microcontroller selects a duty ratio to establish the optimum magnitude of drive current to the coil based only on the determined impedance of the coil.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to an apparatus and method for treating a bowel obstruction. An example apparatus includes a first tong element and a second tong element forming a pair of tong elements pivotally connected at a junction point and movable between an opened position and a closed position. Each tong element defines a distal end and a proximal end and a body extending therebetween. The distal end of the first tong element defines a first collection half element and the distal end of the second tong element defines a second collection half element. The first collection half element and the second collection half element form a collection element when the pair of tong elements are in the closed position, which defines an inwardly facing cavity. At least one of an interior of the first collection half element or an interior of the second collection half element define a plurality of grasping teeth.

Abstract: A power control system for use with an electric lock mechanism including an actuator having a coil with a particular coil impedance. The power control system comprises a power supply configured to provide an output voltage having a drive current to the actuator, a credential device powered by the power supply and configured to signal the power supply to provide the output voltage upon receiving an authorized access code, an actuator driver including a multiple-gain current-sensing circuit, and a microcontroller configured to monitor and control the power supply, credential device, actuator driver, and actuator, and determine the impedance of the coil. The microcontroller is populated by a look-up table having performance data for a plurality of coils such that the microcontroller selects a duty ratio to establish the optimum magnitude of drive current to the coil based only on the determined impedance of the coil.

Abstract: A power control system for use with an electric lock mechanism having an actuator comprises a power supply to output an output voltage to the actuator. A credential device signals the power supply to output the voltage upon receiving an authorized code. A microcontroller controls the power supply, the credential device, and the actuator and may operate in an Access Mode or a Dog Mode. When in Access Mode, the actuator is unpowered and the credential device is powered until an authorized code is received and the power supply powers the actuator. The Dog Mode has an awake mode where the actuator is powered and the credential device is unpowered after the actuator remains in the powered state for a length of time. A sleep mode has the actuator unpowered and the credential device powered until an authorized code is received and the power supply powers the actuator.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved method for using heat energy in a gypsum board plant. More specifically, the method contemplates taking heat from a gasifier, or other alternative heat source, and using it to dry gypsum boards. In order to control humidity levels, this heat is delivered to one or more board dryers via a heat exchanger.

Abstract: A power control circuit assembly for an electric door latch mechanism comprises a load control circuit module configured to distribute a DC operating voltage to power an electromechanical door latch mechanism and its associated access control device. An energy storage device such as a rechargeable battery is coupled to the load control circuit module and is configured to deliver a DC voltage to the load control circuit module wherein the DC energy storage device voltage supplies the DC operating voltage. A rectifier is configured to receive an input AC voltage and convert the input AC voltage to an input DC voltage. The input DC voltage is adapted to deliver an energy storage device recharge voltage. An energy storage device voltage detection module is configured to interrogate a DC voltage supplied by the energy storage device.

Abstract: A power control system for use with an electric lock mechanism having an actuator comprises a power supply to output an output voltage to the actuator. A credential device signals the power supply to output the voltage upon receiving an authorized code. A microcontroller controls the power supply, the credential device, and the actuator and may operate in an Access Mode or a Dog Mode. When in Access Mode, the actuator is unpowered and the credential device is powered until an authorized code is received and the power supply powers the actuator. The Dog Mode has an awake mode where the actuator is powered and the credential device is unpowered after the actuator remains in the powered state for a length of time. A sleep mode has the actuator unpowered and the credential device powered until an authorized code is received and the power supply powers the actuator.

Abstract: A power control circuit assembly for an electric door lock comprises a load control circuit module configured to distribute a DC operating voltage to power an electromechanical door latch mechanism and its associated access control device. An energy storage device such as a rechargeable battery is coupled to the load control circuit module and is configured to deliver a DC voltage to the load control circuit module wherein the DC energy storage device voltage supplies the DC operating voltage. A rectifier is configured to receive an input AC voltage and convert the input AC voltage to an input DC voltage. The input DC voltage is adapted to deliver an energy storage device recharge voltage. An energy storage device voltage detection module is configured to interrogate a DC voltage supplied by the energy storage device.

Abstract: This disclosure relates generally to an online film festival allows a first user and a second user to submit a first film and a second film, respectively. The films are submitted via a digital interface and a viewer can view the submitted films through those means as well. The viewer can vote, comment on, and/or contribute funds to film of his or her choice, with the funds being contributed after presentation of the film. A vote tallying portion of the digital interface tracks and counts a number of votes associated with the film. The winning film can be determined by the number of votes or a jury.

Abstract: A method for producing a transgenic plant includes providing a nucleic acid molecule comprising at least two regions of nucleic acid sequence that lack sequence homology with genomic DNA of the plant cell, and at least two zinc finger nuclease recognition sites, wherein the at least two regions of nucleic acid sequence that lack sequence homology with genomic DNA of the plant cell flank the at least two zinc finger nuclease recognition sites. A plant cell or tissue having the nucleic acid molecule stably integrated into the genome of the plant cell is transformed. A plant is regenerated from the plant cell. Transgenic plants are produced by the method. Seeds are produced by the transgenic plants.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved method for using heat energy in a gypsum board plant. More specifically, the method contemplates taking heat from a gasifier, or other alternative heat source, and using it to dry gypsum boards. In order to control humidity levels, this heat is delivered to one or more board dryers via a heat exchanger.

Abstract: A method for producing a transgenic plant includes providing a nucleic acid molecule comprising at least two regions of nucleic acid sequence that lack sequence homology with genomic DNA of the plant cell, and at least two zinc finger nuclease recognition sites, wherein the at least two regions of nucleic acid sequence that lack sequence homology with genomic DNA of the plant cell flank the at least two zinc finger nuclease recognition sites. A plant cell or tissue having the nucleic acid molecule stably integrated into the genome of the plant cell is transformed. A plant is regenerated from the plant cell. Transgenic plants are produced by the method. Seeds are produced by the transgenic plants.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved method for using heat energy in a gypsum board plant. More specifically, the method contemplates taking heat from a gasifier, or other alternative heat source, and using it to dry gypsum boards. In order to control humidity levels, this heat is delivered to one or more board dryers via a heat exchanger.

Abstract: An electrokinetic pump for pumping a liquid includes a pumping body having a plurality of narrow, short and straight pore apertures for channeling the liquid through the body. A pair of electrodes for applying a voltage differential are formed on opposing surfaces of the pumping body at opposite ends of the pore apertures. The pumping body is formed on a support structure to maintain a mechanical integrity of the pumping body. The pump can be fabricated using conventional semiconductor processing steps. The pores are preferably formed using plasma etching. The structure is oxidized to insulate the structure and also narrow the pores. A support structure is formed by etching a substrate and removing an interface oxide layer. Electrodes are formed to apply a voltage potential across the pumping body. Another method of fabricating an electrokinetic pump includes providing etch stop alignment marks so that the etch step self-terminates.

Abstract: A liquid cooling system utilizing minimal size and volume enclosures, air pockets, compressible objects, and flexible objects is provided to protect against expansion of water-based solutions when frozen. In such a system, pipes, pumps, and heat exchangers are designed to prevent cracking of their enclosures and chambers. Also described are methods of preventing cracking in a liquid cooling system. In all these cases, the system must be designed to tolerate expansion when water is frozen.

Abstract: A liquid cooling system utilizing minimal size and volume enclosures, air pockets, compressible objects, and flexible objects is provided to protect against expansion of water-based solutions when frozen. In such a system, pipes, pumps, and heat exchangers are designed to prevent cracking of their enclosures and chambers. Also described are methods of preventing cracking in a liquid cooling system. In all these cases, the system must be designed to tolerate expansion when water is frozen.