Abstract: The present invention provides innovative methods and techniques for improving seedling germination and plant establishment within wildland and forested ecosystems, cultivated systems, urbanized areas, and areas impacted by wildfire. The invention comprises novel seed coating methods for applying wetting agents (or surfactants), tackifiers, and other beneficial soil and plant amendments, to single seeds or agglomerates composed of pellets containing multiple seeds.

Abstract: The invention relates to peptides (termed propeller peptides herein) and related peptides (termed peptides of the G12.2 family herein), about 60 to about 90 residues in length, which are naturally available in minute amounts in the venom of the cone snails or analogous to the naturally available peptides, and which blocks the desensitization of AMPA-type ionotropic glutamate receptors (AMPARs).

Abstract: Improved component placement inspection and verification is performed by a pick and place machine. Improvements include stereovision imaging of the intended placement location; enhanced illumination to facilitate the provision of relatively high-power illumination in the restricted space near the placement nozzle(s); optics to allow image acquisition device to view the placement location from an angle relative to a plane of the placement location, thereby reducing the possibility of such images being obstructed by the component; techniques for rapidly acquiring images with commercially available CCD arrays such that acquisition of before and after images does not substantially impact system throughput; and image processing techniques to provide component inspection and verification information.

Abstract: Improved component placement inspection and verification is performed by a pick and place machine. Improvements include stereovision imaging of the intended placement location; enhanced illumination to facilitate the provision of relatively high-power illumination in the restricted space near the placement nozzle(s); optics to allow image acquisition device to view the placement location from an angle relative to a plane of the placement location, thereby reducing the possibility of such images being obstructed by the component; techniques for rapidly acquiring images with commercially available CCD arrays such that acquisition of before and after images does not substantially impact system throughput; and image processing techniques to provide component inspection and verification information.

Abstract: Improved component placement inspection and verification is performed by a pick and place machine. Improvements include stereovision imaging of the intended placement location; enhanced illumination to facilitate the provision of relatively high-power illumination in the restricted space near the placement nozzle(s); optics to allow image acquisition device to view the placement location from an angle relative to a plane of the placement location, thereby reducing the possibility of such images being obstructed by the component; techniques for rapidly acquiring images with commercially available CCD arrays such that acquisition of before and after images does not substantially impact system throughput; and image processing techniques to provide component inspection and verification information.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention improve upon component level inspection performed by pick and place machines. Such improvements include providing first article inspection in pick and place machines by collecting images of the placement event inside the machine and identifying errors as they happen. By displaying this information as it is generated on the machine, the operator can take prompt and effective corrective actions. In one embodiment, images are taken of the placement location before and after placement of the component. These images are then processed and displayed to the operator shortly after the placement has completed. In addition to the images, key measurements are displayed to the operator to assist in the diagnosis of problems as they occur. Key features that are presented to the operator include absence/presence detection, vibration detection and manual visual inspection.

Abstract: A nutritional composition and method of introducing the composition into a soft gelatin capsule. The composition includes effective amounts of omega-3 fatty acid, vitamin D and selenium. The method includes forming each component into a unitary form, forming a soft gelatin capsule and introducing the unitary composition into the capsule. The soft gelatin capsule then serves as a delivery system for the composition when the capsule is introduced into the body of the user.

Abstract: A plasma measurement device comprises data sensors for sensing properties of the plasma environment together with diagnostic sensors for measuring properties related to the functional integrity of the measurement device. Events reported by the diagnostic sensors of the invention may be interpreted as failures of the measurement device, as warnings requiring operator attention or intervention, or alternatively may be employed as data in a predictive algorithm to estimate the remaining useful lifetime of the device. By providing an ability to detect events indicative of faults or failures in a plasma measurement device during use of the device, the invention provides enhanced certainty and confidence in the integrity of data collected by the plasma measurement device.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention improve upon component level inspection performed by pick and place machines. Such improvements include inspecting the pick operation in pick and place machines by collecting images of the pick event inside the machine and identifying errors as they happen. By detecting and displaying this information as it generated on the machine, the operator or machine can take prompt and effective corrective actions.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention improve upon component level inspection performed by pick and place machines. Such improvements include providing first article inspection in pick and place machines by collecting images of the placement event inside the machine and identifying errors as they happen. By displaying this information as it is generated on the machine, the operator can take prompt and effective corrective actions. In one embodiment, images are taken of the placement location before and after placement of the component. These images are then processed and displayed to the operator shortly after the placement has completed. In addition to the images, key measurements are displayed to the operator to assist in the diagnosis of problems as they occur. Key features that are presented to the operator include absence/presence detection, vibration detection and manual visual inspection.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention improve upon component level inspection performed by pick and place machines. Such improvements include measuring the travel of a pick and place machine placement nozzle and the motion characteristics of the workpiece through the placement process. Since the component is placed on the workpiece with some force to ensure proper adhesion to the workpiece, some deflection of the workpiece is expected during the placement cycle. The placement force is adjusted to ensure that the component is safely placed into the solder paste or adhesive. Placement force is adjusted through a number of characteristics including: choice of spring tension in the nozzle; the length of the nozzle and the amount of over-travel into the board; the rigidity of the board and design; and the placement of the board support mechanisms. With proper adjustment of these characteristics and parameters, high quality placements onto the workpiece can be ensured.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a programmable retargeter memory device which receives data being sent to addresses designated by the data and which retargets the data by replacing the addresses designated by the data with new addresses. The retargeter memory device of the present invention comprises an address memory and a data memory. The address memory comprises a plurality of address memory locations for storing retargeted addresses. The address memory is capable of being written to and read from to programmably alter the retargeted addresses stored therein and to output retargeted addresses therefrom. The data memory comprises a plurality of data memory locations for storing data associated with the retargeted addresses stored in the address memory and is capable of being written to and read from.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a programmable retargeter memory device which receives data being sent to addresses designated by said data and which retargets the data by replacing the addresses designated by the data with new addresses. The retargeter memory device of the present invention comprises an address memory and a data memory. The address memory comprises a plurality of address memory locations for storing retargeted addresses. The address memory is capable of being written to and read from to programmably alter the retargeted addresses stored therein and to output retargeted addresses therefrom. The data memory comprises a plurality of data memory locations for storing data associated with the retargeted addresses stored in the address memory and is capable of being written to and read from.

Abstract: The present invention provides a composition as well as method for providing nutrition to renal patients. Pursuant to the present invention, the enteral composition includes an effective amount of a protein source including whey protein and free amino acids that provide essential as well as nonessential amino acids. The composition is calorically dense and has a moderate osmolality.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for arc welding, particularly starting an arc is disclosed. A welding power source that provides a welding current to an electrode and a workpiece includes a source of welding current having an inductor. The inductor and current source are connected to a pair of outputs, such as the output studs, and form a welding current path including the source of current, the output inductor, the outputs and the electrode and workpiece. A source of a high frequency voltage, such as a high frequency coupling coil is included in the welding current path. An arc starting circuit provides a controllable current path for current flow in the inductor prior to the application of high frequency voltage. The arc starting current path is not the welding current path.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for reducing and controlling antigen-specific immunoglobulin concentrations in a patient. In addition, the present invention provides a method for maintaining physiological functions of the intestine in a patient. Pursuant to the present invention, the composition includes a protein source, a carbohydrate source, a fat source, and a specialized vitamin and mineral profile.