Abstract: Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the gene encoding gamma glutamyl hydrolase (GGH) associated with reduced GGH activity are disclosed. The primary SNP is a change from a cytosine to a thymine at a position corresponding to nucleotide 511 of Genbank sequence accession no. NM 003878. Methods and kits for detecting these SNPs are provided, along with primers useful in detecting these SNP and for amplifying portions of the GGH gene containing these SNPs.

Abstract: Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the gene encoding gamma glutamyl hydrolase (GGH) associated with reduced GGH activity are disclosed. The primary SNP is a change from a cytosine to a thymine at a position corresponding to nucleotide 511 of Genbank sequence accession no. NM 003878. Methods and kits for detecting these SNPs are provided, along with primers useful in detecting these SNP and for amplifying portions of the GGH gene containing these SNPs.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to metal oxide fibers and nanofibers, the processes for making same, and uses thereof. Such metal oxide nanofibers possess the ability to absorb and decompose chemical warfare agents and other toxic chemicals. These nanofibers can be incorporated into protective clothing and devices for breathing or in another example may be used in lithium-ion batteries. In one embodiment, the present invention relates to titania, alumina, and/or magnesia fibers and nanofibers, and to processes for making same. In another instance, alpha-phase aluminum oxide is utilized as one material in nanofibers.

Abstract: A fan assembly of a gas turbine engine, the fan assembly includes an array of radially extending blades defining gaps therebetween and an annulus filler located within at least one gap. The annulus filler includes at least two individual bodies arranged circumferentially adjacent one another with at least one adjacent a blade, one of the bodies includes a flexible wall arranged to centrifuge outwardly against the other body thereby urging both bodies against the blades and securing them during engine operation.

Abstract: A method for intervaled memory transfer access provides periodic authorization signals to a memory access controller. The method cycles between: 1) inhibiting the memory access controller from writing data to a memory until the memory access controller receives a periodic authorization signal to cause the memory access controller to remove the inhibition and write a predetermined amount of data to the memory through a data bus, and 2) releasing the data bus following writing of the predetermined amount of data to the memory by inhibiting the memory access controller from writing further data.

Abstract: A method for memory write-back provides a memory access controller and then generates a write-back pattern in the memory access controller. The write-back pattern is then written back into a memory starting at a predetermined address location and continuing for a predetermined length of the addressing space of the memory.

Abstract: A method for intervaled memory transfer access provides periodic authorization signals to a memory access controller. The method cycles between: 1) inhibiting the memory access controller from writing data to a memory until the memory access controller receives a periodic authorization signal to cause the memory access controller to remove the inhibition and write a predetermined amount of data to the memory through a data bus, and 2) releasing the data bus following writing of the predetermined amount of data to the memory by inhibiting the memory access controller from writing further data.

Abstract: A method for memory write-back provides a memory access controller and then generates a write-back pattern in the memory access controller. The write-back pattern is then written back into a memory starting at a predetermined address location and continuing for a predetermined length of the addressing space of the memory.

Abstract: A control for a water heater is provided that comprises a pressure switch for sensing a predetermined level of airflow sufficient for maintaining proper burner operation, and a temperature sensing means for sensing the temperature of the water in the tank. The control further comprises a processor for controlling the operation of the burner to maintain the water temperature above a predetermined value. When the processor receives a signal from the pressure switch or temperature switch indicating a malfunction, the processor shuts down the burner and subsequently attempts to restart the burner. The processor will lock-out further burner operation after a predetermined number of consecutive shut downs occurs, and will communicate any malfunction information to a remote display device.

Abstract: A thermostat is provided that receives one or more inputs from at least one heating system of a climate control system, and initiates an appropriate action in response to the input. The thermostat can turn off a heat pump providing substandard heat and responsively turn on a fuel-fired auxiliary furnace. The thermostat may discontinue further operation of the auxiliary furnace upon receiving an operating error signal associated with the auxiliary furnace, and responsively turn on the heat pump to provide for continued heating. The thermostat may also discontinue operation of the fuel-fired furnace and turn on a circulating fan in response to an input signal indicating a furnace high-temperature or a carbon monoxide presence.

Abstract: A printer has voice recognition capabilities to transcribe a recorded voice message into printed text. The printer has a communication interface that is connected to a communication line for receiving a voice message. The printer also has an extended memory that stores the voice message, and a speech bank that stores speech patterns and vocabulary words. After the voice message is stored in the extended memory, a speech recognizer compares the voice message to the speech patterns and vocabulary words in the speech bank and translates the voice message into text data. The text data is stored into a print buffer, where the text data may be accessed by a central processing unit (CPU). The CPU controls a print mechanism that actually prints the text data.

Abstract: Connectors and connections that enhance mechanical and sealing engagement between the ends of tubular bodies that are radially expanded by a forging tool. The connectors are designed to maintain or restore mechanical and sealing engagement following expansion. The connections are made by joining components that exhibit different spring back characteristics following mechanical deformation. Dissimilar material may be used for the connectors or the connected components can be made of the same materials but dimensioned and configured to exert an interfering force between engaged components following expansion. In operation, a material or component with a high spring back characteristic is positioned adjacent a material or component having a lower spring back characteristic. Following passage of a forging tool, the expanded components spring back differently toward their original unexpanded dimensions to produce the enhanced seal or mechanical engagement.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods for detecting genetic polymorphisms in an organism, particularly to the detection of genetic polymorphisms that are due to multiple distal nucleotide polymorphisms within a gene. Methods are provided for determining the haplotype structure of a gene, or other contiguous DNA segment, having two or more nucleotide polymorphisms that are separated by kilobases of DNA. The methods involve the use of PCR amplification and DNA ligation to bring the nucleotide polymorphisms on a particular allele of the gene into close proximity to facilitate the determination of haplotype structure.

Abstract: Nanofibers modified to alter their optical properties in the infrared part of the electromagnetic spectrum, which nanofibers can be used in applications ranging from identification technology to energy conversion devices (e.g., thermophotovoltaics) to stealth technology. The desired optical properties can be obtained by modifying the fibers with rare earth and other materials and then can be incorporated into garments or other composite structures or can be applied as coatings on solid surfaces, to be used in a number of applications that benefit from selective emission properties.

Abstract: A time-multiplexed data bus driver circuit includes a plurality of combinatorial circuits, each of the circuits forming a logic combination of a datum value, a datum enable signal and a datum timeslot signal, the plurality of circuits producing a plurality of output signals based thereon, and a wired-OR junction producing a logic OR combination of the plurality of output signals representing a time-multiplexed data stream. Preferably, for each of the combinatorial circuits the enable signal, the timeslot signal and the datum signal (and preferably also a clock signal) are combined in an AND function to produce a gating signal for an active-low datum value, one selected active-low datum value being gated onto the wired-OR junction at a given timeslot when enabled. The common time-multiplexed data channel at the wired-OR junction has a pre-charge circuit for biasing the junction to a positive or ground voltage, thereby representing in an un-driven state a respective logic 1 or 0.

Abstract: A coupled version of a threaded connection 10 includes first threads 16, 38 and second threads, 20, 34 on both elongate tubulars 14, 30 and a coupling 45. An integral joint version 50 preferably includes a first and second tapered threads 58, 60 on each of the connected tubular bodies 54, 56. The coupling preferably includes a dope entrapment cavity in one of the connected tubulars between the first and second threads. A tapered metal seal surface is provided preferably between the first and second threads. The second thread in a preferred embodiment is a hook thread with a negative rake angle. In another embodiment, the pin ends of a coupled connection may engage, with seals provided between the first and second threads on each tubular.

Abstract: A method and system for predicting manufacturing yield for a proposed integrated circuit The method includes: in the order recited: (a) providing a multiplicity of different integrated circuit library elements in a design database, each library element linked to a corresponding normalization factor in the design database; (b) selecting library elements from the design database to include in a proposed design for the integrated circuit; (c) generating an equivalent circuit count of the proposed design based on the normalization factors and a count of each different library element included in the proposed design; and (d) calculating a predicted manufacturing yield based on the equivalent circuit count, a predicted density of manufacturing defects and an area of the proposed integrated circuit chip.

Abstract: A device for prompting a scan pattern. In many circumstances it is important that an individual be able to follow a learned scan pattern in highly stressful situations. It is therefore important that an individual be taught a particular scan pattern in a way that is most likely to be remembered by a user in these stressful situations. A pilot flying by instruments must appropriately scan the instruments and control the aircraft in accordance with information obtained from the instruments. An improper scanning pattern can cause the pilot to lose control of the aircraft. Consequently, a device that utilizes multiple sensory inputs will more quickly and permanently impress a scanning pattern on a user. Here, a flight instrument scanning pattern is prompted by this device, which selectively illuminates each instrument in the desired scanning pattern to attract a user's attention to that particular instrument.

Abstract: A method determines ion beam emittance, i.e., the beam current density based on position and angle, in a charged particle transport system. The emittance is determined from variations in the current measured in a slot Faraday or sample cup as a straight-edged mechanism traverses the beam upstream of the sample cup in a direction perpendicular to the orientation of the slot Faraday and the straight-edged mechanism, which also can be the direction in which the emittance is determined. An expression in terms of the beam current density can be determined for the derivative of the sample current with respect to position of the mechanism. Depending on the angular spread of the beam reaching the sample cup, the density can be determined directly from the derivative, or can be determined using a least squares analysis of the derivative over a range of mechanism positions.

Abstract: Connectors and connections that enhance mechanical and sealing engagement between the ends of tubular bodies that are radially expanded by a forging tool. The connectors are designed to maintain or restore mechanical and sealing engagement following expansion. The connections are made by joining components that exhibit different spring back characteristics following mechanical deformation. Dissimilar material may be used for the connectors or the connected components can be made of the same materials but dimensioned and configured to exert an interfering force between engaged components following expansion. In operation, a material or component with a high spring back characteristic is positioned adjacent a material or component having a lower spring back characteristic. Following passage of a forging tool, the expanded components spring back differently toward their original unexpanded dimensions to produce the enhanced seal or mechanical engagement.