Abstract: Method of applying a conformal coating to a highly structured substrate and devices made by the disclosed methods are disclosed. An example method includes the deposition of a substantially contiguous layer of a material upon a highly structured surface within a deposition process chamber. The highly structured surface may be associated with a substrate or another layer deposited on a substrate. The method includes depositing a material having an amorphous structure on the highly structured surface at a deposition pressure of equal to or less than about 3 mTorr. The method may also include removing a portion of the amorphous material deposited on selected surfaces and depositing additional amorphous material on the highly structured surface.

Abstract: A photovoltaic panel cartridge for mounting a plurality of photovoltaic panels and method of its construction are described. The photovoltaic panel cartridge is formed from a unitary frame with internal beams and struts for stability. The photovoltaic panels are inserted into channels within the frame, struts, and/or the internal beams in order to be mounted to the photovoltaic panel cartridge and secured to mounting regions on a different one of the frame, struts, and/or internal beams. The photovoltaic panel cartridge is configured to be stacked upon similarly configured photovoltaic panel cartridges for ease in transport and to reduce damage to the photovoltaic panels during transport. The photovoltaic panel cartridge may be slidably mounted to rails of a support structure.

Abstract: A RF signal test and measurement system capable of measuring forward and reverse signal parameters of RF components including Electrically Small Antennas (ESA) and capable of being integrated within a communications system to aid the automatic retuning of antennas.

Abstract: An integrated assembly is provided for installation on a housing for electronic components. The integrated assembly includes a shielded window and a bezel overmolded onto the shielded window in an injection molding process. Since both the shielded window and the bezel have EMI resistant properties, the assembly represents an efficient method for providing high quality EMI shielding while eliminating the use of costly parts and assembly procedures.

Abstract: Sputtering deposition processes for generation of transparent conductive metal oxide films, and films produced by such methods, are disclosed.

Abstract: A photovoltaic module mounting cartridge has a frame structure for mounting a plurality of photovoltaic modules thereon, the frame structure having supports for engaging with and supporting an associated mounting rail provided on the underside of a photovoltaic module such that the photovoltaic module can be selectively installed or removed from the cartridge. A method of assembling a photovoltaic module mounting cartridge is also described, comprising providing a frame structure, providing a plurality of photovoltaic modules having at least one associated mounting rail, arranging the photovoltaic modules atop the frame structure, and attaching each associated mounting rail to the frame structure.

Abstract: Method of applying a conformal coating to a highly structured substrate and devices made by the disclosed methods are disclosed. An example method includes the deposition of a substantially contiguous layer of a material upon a highly structured surface within a deposition process chamber. The highly structured surface may be associated with a substrate or another layer deposited on a substrate. The method includes depositing a material having an amorphous structure on the highly structured surface at a deposition pressure of equal to or less than about 3 mTorr. The method may also include removing a portion of the amorphous material deposited on selected surfaces and depositing additional amorphous material on the highly structured surface.

Abstract: A method of sensing corrosion of a pipe covered by a layer of insulation comprises positioning a CUI sensor radially adjacent an outer surface of the pipe. The CUI sensor comprises a non-conductive base having a first end and a second end opposite the first end. In addition, the CUI sensor comprises a first test circuit mounted to the base. The first test circuit includes a first conductor, a second conductor, and a first testing element extending between the first conductor and the second conductor. Further, the method comprises exposing the first testing element to the same environment as the outer surface of the pipe. Still further, the method comprises determining whether the first testing element has corroded through. Moreover, the method comprises assessing whether corrosion of the pipe has occurred based on the determination of whether the first testing element has corroded through.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer-readable medium that facilitate display of a system configuration are provided. A graphical user interface may provide a display that indicates the position and status of system components and enables a user a convenient mechanism to determine via load group selection a universal power supply load group that is preferred to be connected to a particular chassis power supply, and further provides a mechanism to determine via load group selection which universal power supply load group is connected to a particular chassis power supply. In this manner, a user may confirm a system power supply configuration corresponds to a desired system power supply configuration.

Abstract: Metal oxide thin films and production thereof are disclosed. An exemplary method of producing a metal oxide thin film may comprise introducing at least two metallic elements and oxygen into a process chamber to form a metal oxide. The method may also comprise depositing the metal oxide on a substrate in the process chamber. The method may also comprise simultaneously controlling a ratio of the at least two metallic elements and a stoichiometry of the oxygen during deposition. Exemplary amorphous metal oxide thin films produced according to the methods herein may exhibit highly transparent properties, highly conductive properties, and/or other opto-electronic properties.

Abstract: Metal oxide thin films and production thereof are disclosed. An exemplary method of producing a metal oxide thin film may comprise introducing at least two metallic elements and oxygen into a process chamber to form a metal oxide. The method may also comprise depositing the metal oxide on a substrate in the process chamber. The method may also comprise simultaneously controlling a ratio of the at least two metallic elements and a stoichiometry of the oxygen during deposition. Exemplary amorphous metal oxide thin films produced according to the methods herein may exhibit highly transparent properties, highly conductive properties, and/or other opto-electronic properties.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for the increased production of biotin and the biotin precursor dethiobiotin using a bacterium that produces a lysine-utilizing DAPA aminotransferase. The method involves the use of a bacterium that is either grown in the presence of lysine or deregulated for lysine biosynthesis.

Abstract: A drive mechanism for a trailer support system secured to a trailer, the drive mechanism being operable to move the trailer support system relative to the trailer and including a gear box secured to the trailer support system, a motor supported adjacent to the gear box and having a drive shaft defining an axis, and a coupler positioned between the gear box and the motor shaft and facilitating movement a drive shaft relative to the gear box along the axis and in a direction substantially normal to the axis.

Abstract: The present invention provides a computer implemented method, system, and computer program product for selective encryption of a data transmission. A data transmission is received. When the data transmission is received, the data transmission is unmarshaled. When the transmission is unmarshaled, objects and a set of sensitive fields within the data transmission are identified by referencing a metadata database. Only the set of sensitive fields within the data transmission are encrypted to form a partially encrypted data transmission. The partially encrypted data transmission is marshaled to form a marshaled data transmission. The marshaled data transmission is transmitted to a recipient.

Abstract: A ceiling-mounted projection system has a projector mounted above the ceiling, and a periscope assembly that can be moved by a motor along a vertical axis between a raised position in which the periscope assembly is retracted into the ceiling and a lowered position in which the lower portion of the periscope assembly extends below the ceiling. An upper mirror is mounted on the upper portion of the periscope assembly and aligned to reflect images from the projector in a downward direction when the periscope assembly is in the lowered position. A lower mirror is mounted on the lower portion of the periscope assembly and aligned to reflect the images from the upper mirror onto a viewing surface when the periscope assembly is in the lowered position.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for producing thiamin products using a microorganism containing a mutation that causes it to overproduce and release thiamin products into the medium. Biologically pure cultures of the microorganisms and isolated polynucleotides containing the mutations are also provided. In addition, methods for detecting a pathogenic microorganism in a clinical sample, assays for identifying an antibiotic, as well as, antibiotics identified by such assays are provided.

Abstract: A protection apparatus for a load cell having a constrained end portion and a movable end portion and a load detection apparatus incorporating the same are provided. The protection apparatus includes a housing having a longitudinal axis with a first end and a second end, a pivot disposed through the housing and located in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the housing, and a sensor mount pivotally disposed on the pivot. The protection apparatus through its pivot transfers away from the load cell forces that are not aligned with a direction in which the load cell operates. The sensor mount has a first end and a second end, the first end of the sensor mount is disposed in the first end of the housing between a first position and a second position defined by the housing. The second end is configured for attachment to the movable end portion of the load cell. At least one spring is disposed in the second end of the housing for constraining the constrained end portion of the load cell.

Abstract: A crystalline material sufficiently pure for use in pharmaceuticals may be made by forming a saturated solution of the material, changing the temperature of the solution so it becomes supersaturated, and subjecting the solution to irradiation by high intensity ultrasound, the frequency of the ultrasound being scanned over a range of frequencies. For example the ultrasound may be varied between 19.5 and 20.5 kHz, and this variation may be sinusoidal. Preferably the ultrasound is provided only briefly, say for less than 5 s, before allowing the solution to cool gradually without further irradiation. The ultrasound may be applied using a vessel with an array of ultrasonic transducers attached to a wall, so each transducer radiates no more than 3 W/cm2 yet the power dissipation within the vessel is between 25 and 150 W/litre. This method can reduce the metastable zone width to less than 10 K. It is applicable in particular to aspartame.

Abstract: The apparatus and method transforms composite video signals according to NTSC, PAL, or SECAM standards into a symmetrical form in which the chroma component is phase locked to the instantaneous horizontal frequency to provide a fixed chroma phase to horizontal position alignment of video samples for efficient spatial manipulation thereof while preserving the storage efficiency of the single signal composite video format. The horizontally phase-locked symmetrical composite video signal may be transformed back to original asymmetrical chroma-reference based phase modulation for conventional display of the video signals.

Abstract: A hand catapult for throwing flying discs such as a Frisbee.TM. or a Flying Saucer.TM. is constructed with a yoke pivotally connected to a handle for a movement through an angle of not more than about 45 degrees to each side of the center line of the device. The yoke comprises an inner circumferentially channeled semicircular portion conforming to and adapted to receive the disc and having a long complementarily channeled arm projecting tangentially from one terminus of the semicircular portion and a short complementarily channeled arm projecting from the other terminus of the semicircular portion. The yoke is constructed of semirigid plastic material and the short arm extends beyond the semicircular portion a distance just sufficient to offer a slight resistance to the insertion and withdrawal of the disc in the channeled semicircular portion. The device is biased to the uncocked position and is provided with a pressure-releasable device for holding the yoke in the cocked position against said bias device.