Abstract: A method for building calibration lookup tables from sparse data. The method comprises initializing the lookup table including initializing a Kalman filter corresponding to the lookup table, where the Kalman filter includes state estimates that correspond to table element values in the lookup table. The method further comprises receiving sensor measurement data and applying the sensor measurement data to the lookup table. Applying the sensor measurement data to the lookup table includes updating the Kalman filter in response to the sensor measurement data. The method further comprises receiving a constraint on the table element values and receiving an output request. A duplicate copy of the Kalman filter is stored in response to receiving the output request. The constraint is applied to the lookup table in response to receiving the output request and to the storing. Applying the constraint includes updating the Kalman filter in response to the constraint.

Abstract: A compound represented in general formula (X) and (XI):

Abstract: The present invention makes available methods and reagents for modulating proliferation or differentiation in a cell or tissue comprising contacting the cell with a hedgehog agonist, such as the compounds depicted in FIGS. 32 and 33. In certain embodiments, the methods and reagents may be employed to correct or inhibit an aberrant or unwanted growth state, e.g., by antagonizing a normal ptc pathway or agonizing smoothened or hedgehog activity.

Abstract: A fault detection and isolation system for detecting leaks and blockages in a fluid handling system having at least one component through which fluid flows includes sensors for measuring fluid conditions upstream and downstream of the component. The sensors generate signals that are representative of the upstream and downstream fluid conditions and are fed to a control algorithm. The control algorithm uses the measured fluid conditions to generate estimates of an inlet state for the component and an outlet state for the component. The control algorithm also calculates innovation sequences for the estimated inlet and outlet states, and then compares the innovation sequences to predetermined thresholds to detect leaks and blockages.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling operation of a component include using at least two sensors arranged to sense an operating condition of the component. The system further includes a controller that controls the component in response to feedback signals output by one or more of the sensors. The controller also determines how the sensor feedback signals are to be used in controlling the component. To this end, the controller includes a model-based statistical filter for each one of the second sensors.

Abstract: The present invention makes available methods and reagents for modulating proliferation or differentiation in a cell or tissue comprising contacting the cell with a hedgehog agonist, such as the compounds depicted in FIGS. 32 and 33. In certain embodiments, the methods and reagents may be employed to correct or inhibit an aberrant or unwanted growth state, e.g., by antagonizing a normal ptc pathway or agonizing smoothened or hedgehog activity.

Abstract: A food product comprising one or more plastic food substrates is formed into a helical configuration and coated with a fluid barrier agent to prevent reannealing of adjacent turns of the product. The fluid barrier agent may be an edible vegetable oil such, for example, as hydrogenated vegetable oil, Soya oil, rape oil, sunflower oil, safflower oil, peanut oil or a mixture of such oils. The product may define a single helix or a multiple helix, e.g. a double or triple helix.

Abstract: A climate control system includes an electromagnetic compressor that receives a noble gas in a first state and compresses the gas to a second state without a change in phase. The climate control system also includes a gas cooler operatively connected to the electromagnetic compressor, such that the gas cooler receives the gas in the second state and cools the gas to a third state without a change of phase. The climate control system further includes a power generator operatively connected to said gas cooler, such that the power generator receives the gas in the third state and decreases a pressure and an enthalpy of the gas without changing phase to a fourth state. The climate control system still further includes a cooler core operatively connected to the power generator, such that the cooler core receives the gas in the fourth state and air to be cooled, and operatively extracts heat from the air and returns the gas without changing phase to the first state.

Abstract: A method is provided for making a helical food product. The method includes the step of extruding one or more plastic food substrates through a nozzle into a hollow shaped part. Relative rotation of the nozzle and the shaping part is caused, thereby forming a product of helical configuration. A fluid barrier agent is applied to the outer surface of the product as it is dispensed from the nozle into the shaping part, which barrier agent is adapted to prevent reannealing of adjacent turns of the helical product.

Abstract: An apparatus for simultaneously forming a plurality of closely spaced, parallel grooves having a web between them in a thin-walled tube is described. The apparatus includes a tube holding mechanism, a rotating cutting tool and a device for driving the cutting tool. The cutting tool includes a single insert form cutter for forming the grooves. The insert includes a plurality of cutting blades and chip relief members which prevent chips from building up in the tool. The chip relief members are generally triangle-shaped and are disposed on the cutting edge of the insert form cutter.

Abstract: The invention provides a meat product comprising extruded inner core of meat substrate and one or more co-extruded outer layers wholly or partly around the core, wherein at least one of the outer layers consists of a meat or fat emulsion. The fibers within the meat or fat emulsion layer are distributed substantially uniformly within the emulsion layer and are disoriented, so as to improve the cohesiveness of that layer. The invention also provides an extrusion nozzle for forming the meat product of the invention.

Abstract: A multiple variable flush storage tank toilet has been developed as preferred state-of-the-art to improve the means of reducing the amount of water used in a water flush type toilet. The improved mechanism within the toilet storage tank relies on a partitioned smaller and larger compartmented space in accordance with that state-of-the-art. The variable means of flushing to obtain a multiplicity of smaller water flushes plus a larger water flush has been obtained by use of “V”-indented polygons. The mechanism for flushing is operated by using a conventional exterior tank handle and is adaptable for a variety of polygons. All functions of the mechanism are simplified beyond that of the current conventional toilet. The variety o flushings are duplicated as use of the toilet is continued.

Abstract: An apparatus for simultaneously forming a plurality of closely spaced, parallel grooves having a web between them in a thin-walled tube is described. The apparatus includes a tube holding mechanism, a rotating cutting tool and a device for driving the cutting tool. The cutting tool includes a single insert form cutter for forming the grooves. The insert includes a plurality of cutting blades and chip relief members which prevent chips from building up in the tool. The chip relief members are generally triangle-shaped and are disposed on the cutting edge of the insert form cutter.

Abstract: The present invention provides a food product comprising one or more plastic food substrates formed into a helical configuration and coated with a fluid barrier agent to prevent reannealing of adjacent turns of the product. The fluid barrier agent may be an edible vegetable oil such, for example, as hydrogenated vegetable oil, Soya oil, rape oil, sunflower oil, safflower oil, peanut oil or a mixture of such oils. The product may define a single helix or a multiple helix, e.g. a double or triple helix. The invention also provides a method and apparatus for making such a helical food product.

Abstract: A temperature control zone enclosure for exterior compressor/condensers has been developed to serve as a means of protecting the compressor/condensers from inclement weather and to automatically allow those units to operate at optimum temperature. The enclosure is comprised of a back, two sides and partial front and top walls with rigid insulation sandwiched between an outer and inner layer of material impervious to atmospheric conditions. The majority of the front and slanted top of the enclosure is comprised of two movable dual-glazed panels. Those movable panels are equipped with automatically operating interior light-reflecting horizontal slat blinds that change position in concert with the moveable dual-glazed panels that are operated by a non-electric temperature sensing operating device connected to the panels by a set of fulcrum advantaged rigid members activated as temperatures rise or fall within the enclosure.

Abstract: A tube coupling assembly includes a tube having an end form for attachment to a hose with a notch extending radially inwardly into the end form. The tube coupling assembly also includes a ferrule disposed about the end form and having an end snap-locked into the notch. The ferrule is adapted to be crimped to secure the hose to the tube between the ferrule and the end form.

Abstract: The invention comprises a pressure swing adsorption process for the separation of a less adsorbable component from a mixture comprising the less adsorbable component and a more adsorbable component, the process comprising a cyclic adsorption/desorption process wherein the desorption step is at a selected pressure and occurs for a selected time such that a pressure reducing apparatus utilized to evacuate the gas does not require extraneous cooling.

Abstract: A process for preparing a compound of the formula ##STR1## wherein R is C.sub.1 -C.sub.18 alkyl by reacting a compound of the formulaRO.sub.2 C--CH.sub.2 CN (II)with a cyanide salt and formaldehyde or source thereof. Compounds of formula (I) are useful intermediates to pesticidally active compounds.

Abstract: The invention provides a meat product comprising extruded inner core of meat substrate and one or more co-extruded outer layers wholly or partly around the core, wherein at least of the outer layers consists of a meat or fat emulsion; characterized in that the fibres within the meat or fat emulsion layer are distributed substantially uniformly within the emulsion layer and are disoriented, so as to improve the cohesiveness of that layer. The invention also provides an extrusion nozzle for forming the meat product of the invention.

Abstract: An optical switch for controlling an operative condition of a headset. The headset includes a microphone boom that is rotatable with respect to a housing for the headset. A rotator element is coupled to the microphone boom such that the rotator element rotates with respect the housing along with the microphone boom. Selected portions of a surface of the rotator element are conditioned to be more reflective than the remaining portions. Alternately, portions of the rotator element are opaque. A pair of optical transceivers are in fixed positions relative to the housing. When the microphone boom is positioned approximately straight upward with respect to a user's head, reflective portions of the rotator element are within a field of view of each optical transceiver of the pair. In this position, the headset is in an "off" or "standby" mode.