Abstract: A motor vehicle transfer case includes an interaxle differential driven by an input shaft and an electromagnetic synchronizer and brake for synchronizing and braking rotation of the input and secondary output shaft. An electromagnetic coil is mounted within the transfer case about the input shaft and surrounded by a freely rotatable rotor. A circular armature is coupled to a chain drive sprocket adjacent the rotor and the electromagnetic coil. The chain drive sprocket is driven by the secondary output of the interaxle differential, the other output of which drives the primary transfer case output. Energization of the electromagnetic coil attempts to synchronize and brake rotation of the input shaft and the chain drive sprocket and secondary driveline and maintains the slack or lash in the driveline in a constant state to eliminate noise and driveline transients.

Abstract: An ice detector for providing a signal indicating ice formation includes a longitudinally extending probe protruding into an airflow. One or more surface roughness features on surfaces of the probe improve ice detection. Surface roughness features on the probe include ice accreting edges at a distal end of the probe and features arranged on a side surface of the probe which cause the airflow to increase in turbulence.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a structure comprising a biological membrane and a porous or perforated substrate, a biological membrane, a substrate, a high throughput screen, methods for production of the structure membrane and substrate, and a method for screening a large number of test compounds in a short period. More particularly it relates to a structure comprising a biological membrane adhered to a porous or perforated substrate, a biological membrane capable of adhering with high resistance seals to a substrate such as perforated glass and the ability to form sheets having predominantly an ion channel or transporter of interest, a high throughput screen for determining the effect of test compounds on ion channel or transporter activity, methods for manufacture of the structure, membrane and substrate, and a method for monitoring ion channel or transporter activity in a membrane.

Abstract: An in-line skate having at least a front roller, a rear roller and an intermediate roller carried by a beam. The beam is canted outwardly at the top so that the beam will flex outwardly and at an angle to downward/outward pressure exerted by the skater's foot, creating an arc and resulting in a turn. All of the rollers are mounted to the outer side of the beam. In a preferred embodiment, there are two intermediate rollers that are offset outwardly from the front and rear rollers so that when the skater leans into a turn the intermediate rollers of the outer skate move out of contact with the ground, allowing the beam to flex outwardly at an angle to the force applied to it producing the arc that results in a curved turn. The inner skate rides on the intermediate rollers only, for improved maneuverability.

Abstract: An ice detector for providing a signal indicating ice formation includes a probe protruding into an airflow. The probe extends into the airflow from a strut. The strut has one or more features which allow the probe to accrete ice at a higher temperature than would conventionally be possible. Strut features can include a notch formed therein in an upwind direction relative to the probe, and a curved surface adjacent a point of extension of the probe from the strut.

Abstract: A device for providing radio frequency shielding is disclosed. The device includes a frame and cover removably attached to the frame. The frame is configured to extend generally around the periphery of an electronic component. The frame has an upper wall, sidewalls depending therefrom, and a plurality of stiffening flanges extending from the upper wall towards an interior portion of the frame. The cover has an upper surface and a plurality of members extending therefrom for engagement with the sidewalls of the frame. The cover and the frame form an enclosure for radio frequency shielding the electronic component.

Abstract: A method for tracking status of an inventory shipment sent to a recipient includes monitoring whether the recipient has transmitted an electronic acknowledgment of the status of the shipment; and automatically transmitting a message to the recipient requesting acknowledgment of receipt of inventory if the electronic acknowledgment is not transmitted by the recipient within a first predetermined amount of time.

Abstract: Improved microneedle arrays are provided having a sufficiently large separation distance between each of the individual microneedles to ensure penetration of the skin while having a sufficiently small separation distance to provide high transdermal transport rates. A very useful range of separation distances between microneedles is in the range of 100–300 microns, and more preferably in the range of 100–200 microns. The outer diameter and microneedle length is also very important, and in combination with the separation distance will be crucial as to whether or not the microneedles will actually penetrate the stratum corneum of skin. For circular microneedles, a useful outer diameter range is from 20–100 microns, and more preferably in the range of 20–50 microns.

Abstract: A compound of general formula (I): wherein R1 and R2 may be the same or different and are selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, optionally substituted C4-30 alkyl and optionally substituted C4-30 alkenyl, provided that R1 and R2 may not both be hydrogen, or R1 and R2 together with the nitrogen atom from which they depend form a saturated or unsaturated, optionally substituted heterocyclic group which may include additional heteroatoms selected from the group consisting of O, N and S, or R1 and R2 together with the nitrogen atom from which they depend form an optionally substituted lactam moiety; X1 is selected from the group consisting of OR3, SR3, NR3R?3, hydrogen, halogen, CN, C(O)NR3R?3, C(O)OR3, OSO3R3, OPO3R3, NNR3R?3, SNR3R?3, NHSR3, SSR3 and substituted alkyl; X2 is selected from the group consisting of OR4, SR4, NR4R?4, hydrogen, halogen, CN, C(O)NR4R?4, C(O)OR4, OSO3R4, OPO3R4, NNR4R?4, SNR4R?4, NHSR4, SSR4 and substituted alkyl; X3 is selected from the group consisting of OR5, SR

Abstract: Cyclic amino derivatives of formula (1) are described: (1) wherein: m and n, which may be the same or different, is each zero or the integer 1 or 2; Alk3 is a covalent bond or a straight or branched C1-6 alkylene chain; R1 and R2, which may be the same or different, is each a hydrogen atom or a straight or branched C1-6 alkyl group; D is an optionally substituted aromatic or heteroaromatic group; E is an optionally substituted C7-10 cycloalkyl, C7-10 cycloalkenyl or C7-10 polycycloaliphatic group; and the salts, solvates, hydrates, tautomers or N-oxides thereof. The compounds are potent and selective modulators of the interaction between CXCR3 and its chemokine ligands and are thus of use in medicine, for example in the prevention or treatment of conditions involving inappropriate T-cell trafficking such as certain inflammatory, autoimmune and immunoregulatory disorders as described hereinafter.

Abstract: A data acquisition recording and display system for mounting in a vehicle having an interior console and an aperture in the console. The system comprising a frame mountable in the aperture. A recording media housed in the frame and operable to store and retrieve audio/video and other data. The content of the recording media being transferable to enable storage and searching on a remote device. Searching being performed with a search engine application.

Abstract: A low noise sinusoidal signal at a desired output frequency is synchronised using a first variable frequency oscillator (1) and providing a feedback control loop around the first oscillator (1) to generate a feedback control signal in successive frequency comparison steps using second and third frequency reference signals (44, 42). Each of the second and third frequency reference signals are derived from a first frequency reference signal, the second frequency reference signal (44) being compared with the output frequency of the first oscillator (1) to generate a frequency difference signal (43), and said frequency difference signal (43) being compared in frequency with the third frequency reference signal (42) to generate said feedback control signal for the first oscillator (1), the frequency of the third frequency reference signal (42) being equal to the difference of the frequency of the second frequency reference signal (44) and the desired output frequency.

Abstract: A method for adjusting the wavelength and dominant mode of a laser fiber prior to installation in a laser assembly includes the steps of linearly stretching the laser fiber so as to modify its output wavelength, axially twisting the laser fiber so as to modify its dominant mode, and affixing the laser fiber to a laser assembly in its linearly stretched and axially twisted condition. The laser assembly includes a dynamic tuning mechanism for wavelength adjustment during use. The twisted and stretched fiber has an unadjusted wavelength and dominant mode that are within a selected range before adjustment by the dynamic tuning mechanism.

Abstract: A motor vehicle transfer case includes an interaxle differential driven by an input shaft and an electromagnetic synchronizer and brake for synchronizing and braking rotation of the input and secondary output shaft. An electromagnetic coil is mounted within the transfer case about the input shaft and surrounded by a freely rotatable rotor. A circular armature is coupled to a chain drive sprocket adjacent the rotor and the electromagnetic coil. The chain drive sprocket is driven by the secondary output of the interaxle differential, the other output of which drives the primary transfer case output. Energization of the electromagnetic coil attempts to synchronize and brake rotation of the input shaft and the chain drive sprocket and secondary driveline and maintains the slack or lash in the driveline in a constant state to eliminate noise and driveline transients.

Abstract: Techniques and systems for processing optical transmission of a plate in an optical shearing interferometer to measure the plate. Both optical reflection and optical transmission of the plate may be processed by optical shearing interferometers to obtain measurements of the plate, including surface information of at least one reflective surface, the wedge slopes, and variation in the refractive index of the plate, net optical distortions through plate assembly.

Abstract: A static pressure sensing probe has an aerodynamically shaped cross section, and extends laterally from an aircraft surface sufficiently so that an outer end of the probe is a short distance outside the boundary layer on the aircraft surface on which the probe is mounted. The probe has surface corrugations or ridges along the probe, and the ridges include an upstream ridge adjacent the leading edge, and a downstream ridge spaced rearwardly from the upstream ridge. The ridges cause pressure disturbances along the probe surfaces. Static pressure sensing ports are positioned on the surfaces of the probe relative to the ridges in regions of pressure disturbances caused by the ridges. The probes can be mounted on opposite sides of the aircraft and pneumatically or electrically connected to average the pressures from selected sets of ports.

Abstract: A dispensing device for dispensing scents into the environment is disclosed. In one embodiment, the dispensing device is used in conjunction with an article of manufacture which contains one or more scents or aromatic materials.

Abstract: Techniques and systems for using optical interferometers to obtain full-field optical measurements of surfaces, such as surfaces of flat panels, patterned surfaces of wafers and substrates. Applications of various shearing interferometers for measuring surfaces are described.

Abstract: A buffer circuit is used to provide hysteresis, which can reduce the negative effects of noise in digital circuits. Reducing the number of transistors in the buffer circuit reduces the amount of space the circuit occupies and reduces power consumption. By connecting a voltage-coupling element between the body of a transistor in a first inverter and an output of a second inverter, the voltage-coupling element can control the hysteresis of the buffer circuit.

Abstract: A circuit board mounted data card reader includes an elevated card receiving assembly for receiving a data card such as a SIM card, UIM card, or the like, and a support assembly. The card receiving assembly is elevated or spaced away from the circuit board by the support assembly for conserving space on the circuit board and allowing other components to be mounted to the circuit board beneath the data card reader.