Abstract: Systems, methods, and other embodiments are disclosed for managing utility usage data in the event of a utility outage. In one embodiment, measured meter data is read representing utility usage data collected from multiple meters within a zone of a utility system and processed to identify valid and invalid usage data of the measured meter data. An estimation process is performed on the measured meter data to generate corrected meter data for the multiple meters. The corrected meter data is aggregated over a time span to generate an aggregate percentage value specifying a total percentage of data received for the time span. The aggregate percentage value is compared to a threshold value to detect a utility outage. The estimation process is suppressed for the multiple meters when the aggregate percentage value is below the threshold value, indicating a utility outage.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and other embodiments associated with synchronizing consumption data are described. In one embodiment, a method includes determining when a first consumption data of a first type and a second consumption data of a second type, derived from a same consumption meter, are unsynchronized with each other. The example method also includes synchronizing the first consumption data with the second consumption data when the two types of data are determined to be unsynchronized with each other.

Abstract: A corrosion monitoring device for monitoring corrosion in fluid containing systems and other equipment exposed to a corrosive environment comprising sensor elements having a composition substantially the same as the equipment being monitored, the sensor elements having a predetermined thickness for exposure to a corrosive solution of the fluid containing system. An electrical property of the monitoring device changes when corrosion penetrates through the thickness of the sensor element. A digital output device generates a first binary signal when corrosion has not penetrated through the thickness of the sensor elements, and a second binary signal when corrosion has penetrated through the thickness of the sensor elements. Multiple sensor elements may be used to provide multiple binary signals. Information from the digital outputs may be processed to provide a cumulative log of corrosion measurements.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are novel nucleic acid and protein sequences that are essential to fertility. In particular, human Mater cDNA and protein sequences are provided. Functional MATER is required for female fertility; zygotes that arise from Mater null oocytes do not progress beyond the two-cell stage. Methods are described for using Mater molecules in diagnoses, prognosis, and treatment of infertility and reduced fertility. Also provided are methods for using MATER as a contraceptive agent. The disclosure also describes compounds involved in such methods, and the identification of such compounds.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are novel nucleic acid and protein sequences that are essential to fertility. In particular, human Mater cDNA and protein sequences are provided. Functional MATER is required for female fertility; zygotes that arise from Mater null oocytes do not progress beyond the two-cell stage. Methods are described for using Mater molecules in diagnoses, prognosis, and treatment of infertility and reduced fertility. Also provided are methods for using MATER as a contraceptive agent. The disclosure also describes compounds involved in such methods, and the identification of such compounds.

Abstract: A method and device for providing power to a load are disclosed. A beam of free electrons is directed from a free-electron source, such as an electron gun, into an enclosing conductive surface. The free-electron source includes a cathode, which is maintained at a negative voltage with respect to the enclosing conductive surface. A region around the free-electron source is maintained in a vacuum. The system is configured to switch over a time period between two configurations. In the first configuration, the enclosing conductive surface is isolated from a ground. In the second configuration, the enclosing conductive surface is in electrical communication with the ground. Capacitive energy is discharged from the enclosing conductive surface when in the second configuration with an electrical circuit arrangement and provided to the load.

Abstract: A method and device for providing power to a load are disclosed. A beam of free electrons is directed from a free-electron source, such as an electron gun, into an enclosing conductive surface. The free-electron source includes a cathode, which is maintained at a negative voltage with respect to the enclosing conductive surface. A region around the free-electron source is maintained in a vacuum. The system is configured to switch over a time period between two configurations. In the first configuration, the enclosing conductive surface is isolated from a ground. In the second configuration, the enclosing conductive surface is in electrical communication with the ground. Capacitive energy is discharged from the enclosing conductive surface when in the second configuration with an electrical circuit arrangement and provided to the load.

Abstract: Austenitic steel intended for use in radiation areas of nuclear reactors is largely resistant to irradiation-induced stress corrosion cracking if its silicon, phosphorus and sulfur contents are reduced in relation to standard commercial steel quantities and its grain structure has finely dispersed carbide precipitation, particularly of niobium carbide. The finely dispersed distribution can be induced in that larger niobium precipitation takes place at annealing temperatures between 1100 and 1150.degree. C., and carbide is precipitated through the corresponding annealing at temperatures of approximately 750.degree. C.

Abstract: A method of producing austenite steel for use in the radiation zone of a nuclear reactor. The method comprising the steps of forming the austenite steel with about 17% by weight chromium, about 9 to 11.5% by weight nickel, about 0.04% by weight carbon, and iron impurities whose content of silicon is about 0.1% by weight and whose total content of sulfur and phosphorous is less than 0.03% by weight; and exposing the austenite steel to a temperature treatment at a temperature less than 1150 .degree. C. to produce a fine grain lattice with grain diameter features under approximately 20 .mu.m.

Abstract: A photopolymer resin composition useful in producing printing plates with low levels of surface tack is disclosed. Acetal compounds are incorporated into the photopolymer resin composition to achieve the low tack results.

Abstract: An ammunition feeder for a gun is disclosed which has a first rotating sprocket driven positively at a uniform velocity for stripping rounds and a second rotating sprocket driven positively at a non-uniform velocity for transversely placing each round directly onto the face of the gun bolt of the gun.