Abstract: A centrifugal compressor assembly, especially one having two or more stages, comprises a first compressor casing having. A fluid inlet and a fluid outlet and a first impeller rotatable within the first compressor casing. The assembly further comprises a second compressor casing having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet and a second impeller rotatable within the second compressor casing. Drive for the compressors is provided by an electric motor, preferably a permanent magnet motor, disposed between the first and second compressor casings and comprising a stator and a rotor rotatable within the stator. A drive shaft is provided, wherein the first impeller, second impeller and the rotor are mounted on the drive shaft and rotatable therewith.

Abstract: An optical assembly includes a service loop extended from a focus section of an actuator arm. A portion of the service loop bends when a tracking section of the actuator arm rotates around a tracking axis while a portion of the flex circuit twists when the focus section of the actuator arm rotates around a focus axis.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for estimating maximum rate of data and for estimating a transmission power required for transmission of a data with a rate of data in a communication system are disclosed. A terminal determines a quality metric of a communication link, over which data are to be transmitted, and modifies the determined quality metric by a quality metric margin. The terminal then estimates the maximum rate of data in accordance with the modified quality metric. Alternatively, the terminal then estimates transmission power required for transmission of a data with a rate of data in accordance with the rate of data and the modified quality metric. The quality metric margin may be a pre-determined or dynamically adjusted. The terminal dynamically adjusts the quality metric margin in accordance with a result of comparison of a transmit power corresponding to the estimated maximum rate of data with an actual transmit power used to transmit the data.

Abstract: The present invention relates, generally, to inositol 1,4,5-triphosphate receptors (IP3R), and, in particular, to methods of modulating the activity of 220 kDa ankyrin-B in cellular localization and physiological function of IP3R. The invention further relates to methods of identifying compounds suitable for use in such methods and to compounds so identified.

Abstract: Multiwavelength modelocked laser systems and methods for reducing intensity fluctuations and amplitude noise in each of the wavelength channels as well as manipulating the interwavelength phase coherence properties. The systems and methods can include lens, semiconductor optical amplifier, grating, cylindrical lens, rod lens and an approximately 7 nm MQW saturable absorber between mirrors for providing a laser cavity resonator for hybridly modelocked operation. Additional systems and methods can include two different positions for the saturable absorber inside the laser resonator which enables direction of the interwavelength phase coherence properties. Up to approximately 300 MHz optical pulse trains in each of up to approximately three channels can be generated. Combining gain flattening and noise suppression within the optical cavity of the modelocked laser can result in generating up to approximately 123 wavelength channels, each having up to approximately 6 Giga Hertz optical pulse trains.

Abstract: Compounds modulating CD59 mediated complement activity, compositions including these compounds, and methods of making and using the compounds are disclosed, which are based on the identification of the hu CD59 amino acid residues which serve as the binding site for CD59-C9 interactions. These residues correspond to amino acid residues 42-58, and bind to the region of C9 corresponding to human 334-418, more specifically, between amino acid residues 359 and 384. Compounds can be derived using this basic amino acid sequence and corresponding three dimensional structure within the protein using any of several techniques known to those skilled in the art, including rational drug design using computer data bases and modeling of peptide/protein-ligand binding, antibodies and anti-idiotypic antibodies generated to the proteins or peptides containing this peptide sequence, and modified peptides.

Abstract: Using micro-resistivity techniques, an image of the wall of a borehole can be obtained. A downhole tool stack is provided with plural imaging tools, wherein each imaging tool has a set of pads that deploy radially outward to contact the borehole wall to obtain the image thereof. As the pads deploy outwardly, gaps are formed between the pads. The pads of one tool are circumferentially offset relative to the pads of the other tool so that more complete circumferential coverage of the borehole wall is obtained during the imaging process. Furthermore, an adaptive polling technique is utilized to telemeter the large amounts of data generated by the two imaging tools to the surface. Data is obtained from the imaging tools by polling at a particular rate, which rate is modified depending upon the amount of data generated by the imaging tools.

Abstract: A compound mounting bracket for attaching a solenoid to a structure is disclosed. The compound mounting bracket comprises a first and second plate, each having a first edge and a second distal edge. The second distal edge of the first plate is connectable to a first mounting point on a solenoid. The second distal edge of the second plate extends in a direction generally transverse to the first edge of the second plate, thereby defining a dihedral angle between the first plate and the second plate. The second plate is connectable at its second distal edge to a second mounting point on the solenoid.

Abstract: The present invention provides a curable fluoroelastomer composition comprising: (a) a fluoroelastomer comprising a cure site component having a halogen capable of participation in a peroxide cure reaction; (b) an organic peroxide; and (c) a siloxane or silazane comprising one or more —SiH groups. The curable fluoroelastomer compositions generally show improved processing and the resulting cured fluoroelastomers generally have improved mechanical and physical properties.

Abstract: A vehicle steering assembly comprising a vehicle steering system, a wheel assembly including a pivotal wheel hub for supporting a wheel, a knuckle mounted to the hub, and a pivot arm extending outward from the knuckle. The vehicle steering assembly further including a connector rod interconnecting the vehicle steering system and the pivot arm for transmitting linear motion from the vehicle steering system through the connector rod to rotate the wheel assembly. The connector rod including a first end connected to the vehicle steering system, a second end pivotally connected to the pivot arm, and a shaft portion interconnecting the first and second ends. The connector rod further including a first mechanism to allow the connector rod to pivot in a first plane in relation to the vehicle, and a second mechanism to allow the connector rod to pivot in a second plane, approximately orthogonal to the first plane.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for separating element isotopes in space by heating a stream of raw materials using concentrated sunlight and ionizing radiation, followed by electromagnetic separation, and collection of the desired isotopes in appropriate receptacles. The unique design of this invention allows flexibility of implementation, very high separation efficiency, and minimal waste. The intent of collecting a multiplicity of isotopes simultaneously is a key feature of this invention. The goal for this work is to greatly reduce the cost of producing purified finished materials in space. This capability makes economical the fabrication of complex and large structures for space-based industry and habitation. This invention builds upon the sciences of plasma physics, ion separation, and microgravity processing, and incorporates new concepts of the integral design and efficient process operation, taking advantage of the peculiar properties of a microgravity environment.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods for measuring proteasome activity in biological samples. More particularly, then invention relates to methods for monitoring drug action following in vivo administration of a proteasome inhibitor. The invention provides methods and kits for monitoring pharmacodynamic drug action and for determining dose regimen for a proteasome inhibitor. The invention also provides methods for determining baseline proteasome activity in a mammal.

Abstract: It is desired to remove matter on a fluid surface of a tank. The tank defines a circular tank orifice comprising a tank orifice rim, the tank orifice rim containing a fluid surface of a fluid, the fluid overflowing the tank orifice rim to form a fluid overflow, the fluid surface defining a fluid surface center. The matter is removed by discharging from near the tank orifice rim a plurality (n) of jets of the fluid towards the fluid surface center. Any matter on the fluid surface is thereby urged toward the tank orifice rim and eventually removed from the fluid surface by the fluid overflow. In one application, the tank comprises a dip tank and the fluid comprises photoreceptor coating solution or components thereof such as solvents, additives, or both.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for the expression of exogenous DNA libraries in filamentous fungi. The fungi are capable of processing intron-containing eukaryotic genes, and also can carry out post-translational processing steps such as glyclosylation and protein folding. The invention provides for the use of fungi with altered morphology, which permits high-throughput screening and directed molecular evolution of expressed proteins. The same transformed fungi may be used to produce larger quantities of protein for isolation, characterization, and application testing, and may be suitable for commercial production of the protein as well.

Abstract: A storage cabinet employing a door formed in one monolithic piece from a thin sheet of light-weight but relatively rigid material, such as compressed resin-bonded plastic fibers. The door has a pair of panels, such as upper and lower door panels, integrally joined through a living hinge.

Abstract: The invention relates to an adapter (20) for a manually operated dispensing device (120) for a fluid that is/can be pressurized in a container.

Abstract: A nozzle assembly for a HVOF thermal metallic spray coating system includes an inner tube, a middle tube and an outer tube which are concentrically arranged about an axis of the nozzle assembly and are spaced to provide annular, concentric gas flow passages for oxygen and gaseous fuel along with a central wire feed passage in an efficient, compact arrangement. A slided nib and plug are fitted to the discharge end at the assembly and defined, together with the middle tube, an annular premix chamber for the combustible gases, and a plurality of circumferentially spaced mixing slots and a downstream mix end portion of the nib where complete mixing of the gases occurs prior to entry into the combustion chamber provided in an air cap. An annular passage between the air cap and outer tube communicates with a high pressure air source for establishing an envelope of air against the inside surface of the air cap to serve as a protective barrier layer from the atomized metal.

Abstract: A method for electronically resolving a discrepancy arising in a clinical data management system is provided. The discrepancy is converted, using a conversion map, from a back-end format, used to store a clinical value corresponding to the discrepancy, into a front-end format that is compatible with a front-end study definition. The discrepancy is then transferred, while in the front-end format, to a front-end site where the clinical value associated with the discrepancy was first entered. A discrepancy response is received from the front-end site. When the discrepancy response resolves the discrepancy, the discrepancy response is stored in the clinical data management system, thereby resolving the discrepancy.

Abstract: A digital signal processing system capable of compensating for frequency response variations and generating a response characteristic that complies with a provided specification. The system automatically generates digital filters to provide this compensation with almost any form of channel frequency response information and with user defined specifications. The capability of this system to trade-off noise performance, pulse response, and frequency response flatness in order to provide an optimized response is demonstrated. The system also provides feedback to the user on the final response characteristics.

Abstract: In a mesh communications network, in which working and protection paths may be established, channels used to carry protection traffic between nodes are shared across multiple protection paths. Channels need only be shared if sharing does not adversely impact network usage. If working and protection paths become susceptible to single points of failure, channels need not be shared.