Abstract: A system includes a master device and a plurality of slave devices. The master device initiates a bus transaction having an arbitration data field for processing by a subset of the slave devices. Each slave device of the subset arbitrates a corresponding data value for the arbitration data field via the multiple-access bus such that an extreme data value of the data values of the slave devices of the subset is transmitted via the multiple-access bus for the arbitration data field. The slave device can arbitrate its data value by providing the data value for serial transmission via a data line of the multiple-access bus and monitoring the data line. In response to determining that a bit value of the data value being provided does not match the state of the data line, the slave device terminates provision of the data value, thereby ceasing arbitration of its data value.

Abstract: A miniature electret microphone includes an input buffer circuit. The input buffer circuit includes an integrated circuit including a floating ground substrate and a p-n junction.

Abstract: A system includes a master device and a plurality of slave devices. The master device initiates a bus transaction having an arbitration data field for processing by a subset of the slave devices. Each slave device of the subset arbitrates a corresponding data value for the arbitration data field via the multiple-access bus such that an extreme data value of the data values of the slave devices of the subset is transmitted via the multiple-access bus for the arbitration data field. The slave device can arbitrate its data value by providing the data value for serial transmission via a data line of the multiple-access bus and monitoring the data line. In response to determining that a bit value of the data value being provided does not match the state of the data line, the slave device terminates provision of the data value, thereby ceasing arbitration of its data value.

Abstract: A commercial ice making machine having an electronic monitoring device which captures the operating status and production history of the ice machine. The ice production history of the machine is communicated via telephony and/or the Internet on a regular recurring basis to a remote computer. The production history is used to generate invoices to the user of the ice machine, so that the user is charged based on his or her actual ice consumption. Failure of the ice machine is detected by the monitoring device and communicated immediately to a service company so that the ice machine can be repaired before the end user realizes the machine has failed.

Abstract: The invention provides a new stringent starvation protein Salmonella sspA promoter and expression system suitable for expression of heterologous nucleic acids and proteins. The invention also relates to the use of an expression construct comprising either a Salmonella or an E. coli sspA promoter, or a bacterium into which the construct has been introduced, and their use in a pharmaceutical composition. The pharmaceutical composition is suitable for use as an immunotherapeutic composition and in particular, a vaccine delivery system. The expression vector is capable of being maintained extra-chromosomally or by integration into a bacterial host genome, whereby proteins may be expressed.

Abstract: A method and system of ozone treatment diverts a portion of water from a flow of water in a conduit; injects an ozone-containing gas into the portion to provide an ozonated portion; recombines the ozonated portion with the flow of water in the conduit; and regulates the diverted portion to provide a minimum diverted portion flow rate according to flow in the conduit and proportion of ozone in the injected gas.

Abstract: A method and system of ozone treatment diverts a portion of water from a flow of water in a conduit; injects an ozone-containing gas into the portion to provide an ozonated portion; recombines the ozonated portion with the flow of water in the conduit; and controls and regulates the diverted portion to provide a minimum diverted portion flow rate according to flow in the conduit and proportion of ozone in the injected gas.

Abstract: The present invention is an encapsulated sensor suite that deploys remotely. After deployment, an imager in the sensor suite is raised by a variety of means and is capable of being turned by a motor that locks on to sounds coming from a potential target. The motor is actuated by three microphones that when used in concert, point the imager to the direction of the sound's origination. The imager is also activated by a seismic detector which is deployed at the base of the encapsulation. The encapsulation may be righted by soft to hard metal contacts that release the hard metal with sufficient force to flip the sensor to the correct side for deployment.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of neisserial vaccine compositions, their manufacture, and the use of such compositions in medicine. More particularly it relates to processes of making novel engineered meningococcal strains which are less phase variable in terms of their LOS immunotype, and from which novel LOS subunit or meningococcal outer-membrane vesicle (or bleb) vaccines can be derived.

Abstract: A method and system treat ballast-water with ozone without release of detrimental off-gas into the atmosphere.

Abstract: A method and system of ozone treatment diverts a portion of water from a flow of water in a conduit, injects ozone into the portion to provide an ozonated portion, and recombines the ozonated portion with the flow of water in the conduit. Another method and system identifies a species-destructive reaction product of ozone with a water constituent, determines a life of the reaction product, and contacts ozone with a water containing the species for a period determined according to the determined life of the reaction product.

Abstract: A target biokill of species for water to be discharged from a ballast tank of a sea faring vessel is determined. A diverted portion of sea water is regulated prior to charging the water into the ballast tank. Regulation of the diverted portion of water and a rate of injection of the ozone into the portion are adjusted to attain the target biokill. Then ozone at the determined rate into the regulated diverted portion to attain the target biokill when the portion is recombined into the water for charging to the ballast tank.

Abstract: A commercial ice making machine having an electronic monitoring device which captures the operating status and production history of the ice machine. The ice production history of the machine is communicated via telephony and/or the Internet on a regular recurring basis to a remote computer. The production history is used to generate invoices to the user of the ice machine, so that the user is charged based on his or her actual ice consumption. Failure of the ice machine is detected by the monitoring device and communicated immediately to a service company so that the ice machine can be repaired before the end user realizes the machine has failed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to microchip cards which are capable of operation both as a contactless card and as a contract card. The card is provided with a coil that prevents any piracy thereof through voltage peaks.

Abstract: A liquid dispensing container including a reservoir chamber and a measuring chamber separated therefrom but in liquid communication therewith. A liquid transfer tube interconnects the reservoir chamber and the measuring chamber and, in a preferred embodiment is partly incorporated in wall structure separating the two chambers. A closable opening leads directly into the reservoir for filing the reservoir and a further closable opening leads from the measuring chamber for dispensing a measured volume of liquid. The walls of the reservoir chamber are flexible and may be pressed to force liquid from the reservoir through the tube and into the measuring chamber.

Abstract: A Method and device for recognizing card terminals which include a plurality of chip cards wherein each chip card includes a plurality of function components, recognizing circuit, and electronic circuitry with contactless connection. The card terminals differ from one another by emitting electromagnetic waves having different physical properties. When a chip card recognizes a particular terminal, a specific function component is activated according to the particular terminal.