Abstract: A compound of formula I: or solvate thereof, wherein n is 1 to 10, and M and M? are independently selected from monovalent pharmaceutically acceptable cations, or together represent a divalent pharmaceutically acceptable cation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an interface controller that integrates an existing telecommunication device, a door answering system and a headset base all set up in a restaurant. Based on the operation modes performed by the interface controller, a remote order center can talk to the customers in the restaurant through the telephone system. In another aspect, if there is no response received from the remote order center, the customers can directly have service from local personnel of the restaurant.

Abstract: An electrically pumped optical device includes a semiconductor active region and a backward diode. Both of these structures are located in the current path of the optical device, which is oriented primarily vertically. The active region has a finite extent along at least one lateral dimension. The overall structure improves the electrical performance of the device.

Abstract: The invention provides the nucleic acid sequence encoding the protein associated with familial Mediterranean fever (FMF). The cDNA sequence is designated as MEFV. The invention is also directed towards fragments of the DNA sequence, as well as the corresponding sequence for the RNA transcript and fragments thereof. Another aspect of the invention provides the amino acid sequence for a protein (pyrin) associated with FMF. The invention is directed towards both the full length amino acid sequence, fusion proteins containing the amino acid sequence and fragments thereof. The invention is also directed towards mutants of the nucleic acid and amino acid sequences associated with FMF. In particular, the invention discloses three missense mutations, clustered in within about 40 to 50 amino acids, in the highly conserved rfp (B30.2) domain at the C-terminal of the protein. These mutants include M6801, M694V, K695R, and V726A.

Abstract: An improved armless fluid level measuring device has a sealed housing tube and an externally exposed float. The float is slidably attached to the outer surface of the housing tube in which an elongated PC board is sealedly confined so as to protect the PC board from being sabotaged or eroded by fluid chemicals. The float provided with a plurality of high density magnet is slidable on the external surface of the housing tube. The PC board has a circuitry made up of serially connected resistors that are serially bridged together by way of magnet-controlled switches which are activated as the float is variably positioned in place by the fluid confined in a container whereby the serially connected resistors can form a closed circuitry to indicate the level of the fluid in a container via readings on a display of a gauge.

Abstract: A light illuminated gauge mounted to common vehicles, ships, aircraft and etc., is equipped with a full color LED lamp capable of producing light of red, green and blue basic colors separately or in combination and controlled by an IC chip so as to generate light of colors of various tones automatically. The gauge is provided with a function button and a setting button and an LCD display for a user to manually set the operational modes. The full color LED lamp has three pins that are coupled to the IC chip that is connected to the setting button and the function button whereby a person can selectively input operation parameters and randomly choose illumination colors for each display in response to the set conditions or limits. An alarm buzzer or a phonetic message generator can be also coupled to the particular IC chip so as to enable the gauge to transmit alarm messages to a driver when a threatening situation is taking place simultaneously with the variation of illumination lamp color.

Abstract: A pointer resetting mechanism for a magnet disc operated gauge mainly adapted for use in vehicles is made up of a coil spring particularly housed together with a floatable magnet disc for protection in a sealed shelter case and at least an auxiliary magnet received in one of a tubular columns in a lower case of the shelter case. The spring has one end fixed to a pointer shaft and the other end secured to a retaining means disposed on the case. Around the sealed shelter case is wrapped around induction copper wires. When an electric current appears in the copper wires, the magnet disc floating in damping oil is forced by induced magnetism to rotate in the shelter case and when the electric current is removed the pointer can be automatically reset by way of the mechanical biasing force of the coil spring. Furthermore, the auxiliary magnet is used to make the pointer operate more stable at its initial position at where the coil spring can not produce enough tension to firmly hold the pointer in position.

Abstract: An improved connecting arm for use in a Bourdon gauge is secured between one end of a Bourdon tube and an indicating needle driving mechanism of the Bourdon gauge by welding. The connecting arm is provided with a clamping end which can be firmly engaged with a Bourdon tube and the other end engaged with the driving mechanism first manually so that Bourdon gauges so assembled then can be automatically processed by an automatic welding machine in a consecutive order without further manual interference, increasing the speed and safety of welding assembly in practical production of Bourdon gauges.

Abstract: A microprocessor-controlled speedometer/odometer including a single-chip microprocessor which is previously recorded with operation programs according to different requirements. The programs of the microprocessor are changeable in accordance with the requirements of different speedometers.

Abstract: An improved liquid level measuring device with an armless float which is equipped with a pair of symmetric multi-point contact arms hidden inside the armless float so as to protect the same from being damaged in mounting. The present liquid level measuring device has a circuit including two portions each of which is disposed on one side of the sliding pole of the liquid level measuring device, permitting the reduction of the size of the same. A plurality of liquid discharge ditches which can be defined in any form are disposed on each portion of the circuit path for easy expelling of liquid particles adhered on the surface thereof. The multi-point contact arms can scrape off insulating oxydized coatings on the circuit paths in repeated sliding operation thereof so as to permit the contact between the arms and the paths constantly in an effective manner.

Abstract: A speedometer/odometer apparatus, wherein a sensor inputs an electronic sensing signal to an amplifier and a selecting device to be amplified and output as a stable single stroke signal. The signal is combined with a frequency signal from a crystal oscillator and divided into regular pulses. The frequency of the pulses is divided by a frequency divider circuit and output as two signals with high accuracy for respectively controlling the speed indication of the speedometer and mileage indication of the odometer.

Abstract: A wiper actuating mechanism for use in an oil pressure measuring gague is equipped with an additional auxiliary spring plate and a push rod guide sleeve in addition to an improved two-arm wiper and a round diaphram board which is provided with a vertical flange on the periphery thereof for confining a rubber packing in place. The two-arm wiper can assure constant contact of the wiper with two sides of a winding board on which a resistive wire is attached; and the push rod guide sleeve can retain a slidable push rod in place which is not welded to the diaphram board and to move linearly so as to precisely pivot the two-arm wiper; the auxiliary spring plate disposed right under the diaphram board is also intended to reinforce the operation of the diaphram.

Abstract: An engine life counter electrically connected to an engine restart switch through a power source of an engine. The counter includes a mechanical type counter having a coil; a quartz crystal oscillating at a stable frequency; a frequency demultiplier having an output terminal and a reset input terminal. The frequency demultiplier is connected to the quartz crystal to produce a standard frequency output. A stabilizing circuit is connected between the power source and the reset input terminal to stabilize and filter power from the power source. A transistor circuit is connected to an input of the coil and the output terminal of the frequency demultiplier for producing a series of pulses in cooperation with the frequency demultiplier. The pulses magnetize the coil at predetermined intervals.

Abstract: A fluid level measuring device with an armless float adapted for an irregularly shaped gas tank of a vehicle is equipped with an elongaged mounting pole which extends to the bottom of a gas tank at one end and is fixed to the top of the tank at the other. The mounting pole is provided with a receiving groove at the front side thereof into which a PC board is and a float is slidably moved up along the mounting pole due to the buoyancy of the fluid in the tank and down due to its own weight. A metallic contact member attached to the float and one of its copper points is slidably mounted in abutment against one elongated conductive circuit path of the PC board so as to constantly form a closed circuit via bridged resistors and the elongated conductive circuit path and the grounded mounting pole. As a result of the positional variation of the float in correspondence to the level of the fluid of the tank, the resistance of the closed circuit is varied, causing the pointer of a level meter to move accordingly.

Abstract: An universal fuel measuring device including an adjusting stem and an adjusting block having a sensor; the adjusting stem is formed with reinforcing grooves on its two sides and a slot at its middle portion; the adjusting block is connected with the adjusting stem and movable along the slot thereof; the sensor has a slide seat connected with a rod member; one end of the rod member is fitted with a float, whereby the adjusting block can slide along the slot of the adjusting stem to provide various specifications to suit any types of fuel tanks, and the reinforcing grooves of the adjusting stem strengthen the same to prevent the same from being distorted by vibration of a car or rushing fuel flow supplied from a fuel gun.

Abstract: A wide-band programmable tachometer and speedometer/odometer apparatus to detect the rotational speed of an output shaft of an engine in a vehicle and calculate the corresponding speed/mileage thereof. First, a converting device converts a mechanical motion of an engine into an electrical signal. Second, the electrical signal is amplified by two amplifiers and outputted as an amplified signal. Third, the amplified signal is sent to a frequency divider and then through a multiplexer. A selecting device is incorporated with the multiplexer to send out a signal with frequency in an operable range. An F-V converter is used to convert the signal from the multiplexer and to output a first, a second, and a third DC voltage. The second and the third DC voltages are used to drive a tachometer to display the rpm of an engine. The third DC voltage is sent to a V-F converter and through a monostable circuit unit and outputted as positive pulses.