Abstract: A fire sprinkler including a generally tubular body having inlet and outlet ends is disclosed. The body defines a fluid flow passage extending between the inlet and the outlet such that the outlet is in fluid flow communication with the inlet. A magnetized member is disposed within the fluid flow passage and is movable between a first position wherein fluid flow communication between the outlet and the inlet is blocked and a second position wherein fluid flow communication between the outlet and the inlet is open. A temperature sensitive magnetic member is coupled to the body and has sufficient magnetic properties to attract the magnetized member below a predetermined temperature, thereby maintaining the magnetized member in the first position. The temperature sensitive magnetic member loses a sufficient percentage of its magnetic properties at and above the predetermined temperature, thereby allowing the magnetized member to move to the second position.

Abstract: An apparatus (100) for reducing the size of fuel particles injected into a combustion chamber is disclosed. The apparatus includes fuel line (110), a first metallic mesh (114) disposed within the fuel line (110), and a second metallic mesh (112) disposed within the fuel line (110), upstream of the first metallic mesh (114). An electrical supply (130) is electrically coupled to the first metallic mesh (114) and the second metallic mesh (112). Operation of the electrical supply (130) generates an electrical field between the first metallic mesh (114) and the second metallic mesh (112). A fuel injector (120) is disposed at an end of the fuel line (110), downstream from the first metallic mesh (114). Methods of reducing the size of fuel particles, improving gas mileage in a vehicle, increasing power output from a combustion engine, and improving emissions for a combustion engine are also provided.

Abstract: A method for optic disk detection in retinal images, includes: extracting a vessel tree from a retinal image; locating an optic disk in the retinal image using the vessel tree; enhancing a contrast of the optic disk; removing vessels from the contrast enhanced optic disk; detecting a boundary of the optic disk with vessels removed by generating an edge map; projecting the edge map at a plurality of angles by using a radon transform; and estimating a radius and center of the optic disk using the projections.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for reducing the viscosity and facilitating the flow of petroleum-based fluids. The method includes the step of applying an electric field of sufficient strength and for a sufficient time to the petroleum-based fluid to cause a reduction in viscosity of the fluid.

Abstract: A method for optic disk detection in retinal images, includes: extracting a vessel tree from a retinal image; locating an optic disk in the retinal image using the vessel tree; enhancing a contrast of the optic disk; removing vessels from the contrast enhanced optic disk; detecting a boundary of the optic disk with vessels removed by generating an edge map; projecting the edge map at a plurality of angles by using a radon transform; and estimating a radius and center of the optic disk using the projections.

Abstract: A local adaptive method is proposed for automatic detection of microaneurysms in a digital ocular fundus image. Multiple subregions of the image are automatically analyzed and adapted to local intensity variation and properties. A priori region and location information about structural features such as vessels, optic disk and hard exudates are incorporated to further improve the detection accuracy. The method effectively improves the specificity of microaneurysms detection, without sacrificing sensitivity. The method may be used in automatic level-one grading of diabetic retinopathy screening.

Abstract: A flow-control method for data traffic transmitted through SDH network, wherein: during data transmission through the SDH network, the EoS device generates and encapsulates LFP frames, maps the LFP frames into SDH payload, and transmits the SDH payload to the opposite device, which demaps the LFP frames from the SDH payload and executes the flow control information carried in the LFP frames; the carrier of the LFP frames may be standard PAUSE frame structure defined by 802.3x; LFP frame transparent or LFP frame regeneration may be used when the EoS device identifies LFP frames; the present invention is a high-performance method for flow control of data transmission, with high applicability and reliability.