Abstract: A laundry machine includes a drum supported at least two spaced apart support locations for rotation about a rotation axis. A balance correction system is able to apply a variable amount of a balance correction mass at a selectable angular location of the drum at least two spaced apart locations along the drum rotation axis. A controller receives outputs of a set of sensors, and is programmed to continuously calculate balance corrections to apply.

Abstract: Microparticles and nanoparticles and compositions thereof are provided. The microparticles and nanoparticles and compositions may be used for the treatment of musculoskeletal disease, such as osteoarthritis and injury.

Abstract: A membrane supported biofilm apparatus has a plurality of hollow fiber gas permeable membranes in a tank containing water to be treated. A biofilm supported on the membranes occupies between about 40% and 80% of the volume of water to be treated in a reactor. Wastewater treatment processes are described. A process to denitrify water or treat oxidized contaminants comprises introducing hydrogen into an inner volume of the membranes to grow autotrophic organisms in the biofilm near the membrane and heterotrophic organism near the water. Another process is operated as a biomass concentration of at least 10 g/L and up to about 40 g/L to maintain a biofilm having a surface area of over 1000 square meters per cubic meter of tank volume. A hybrid process has suspended biomass and a membrane supported biofilm.

Abstract: A membrane supported biofilm apparatus has a plurality of hollow fiber gas permeable membranes in a tank containing water to be treated. A biofilm supported on the membranes occupies between about 40% and 80% of the volume of water to be treated in a reactor. Wastewater treatment processes are described. A process to denitrify water or treat oxidized contaminants comprises introducing hydrogen into an inner volume of the membranes to grow autotrophic organisms in the biofilm near the membrane and heterotrophic organism near the water. Another process is operated as a biomass concentration of at least 10 g/L and up to about 40 g/L to maintain a biofilm having a surface area of over 1000 square metres per cubic metre of tank volume. A hybrid process has suspended biomass and a membrane supported biofilm.

Abstract: A membrane supported biofilm apparatus has a plurality of hollow fiber gas permeable membranes in a tank containing water to be treated. The membranes have an outside diameter of about 200 microns or less and occupy between 0.5% and 4% of the tank volume. A biofilm supported on the membranes occupies between about 40% and 80% of the volume of water to be treated in a reactor. The membranes may be oriented generally vertically and a spreader may be located near the bottom of the apparatus to disperse the membranes. Wastewater treatment processes are described. A process to dentrify water or treat oxidized contaminants comprises introducing hydrogen into an inner volume of the membranes to grow autotrophic organisms in the biofilm near the membrane and heterotrophic organism near the water. Another process is operated at a biomass concentration of at least 10 g/L and up to about 40 g/L to maintain a biofilm having a surface area of over 1000 square metres per cubic metre of tank volume.

Abstract: A circuit and a method for using the circuit to provide synchronization between a first video signal and a second video signal are provided, comprising a circuit to capture a first video signal, a circuit to measure the timing format of the first video signal including an input clock and count input Vsync pulses, a circuit to measure a phase difference between the first video signal and the second video signal, a circuit to generate an output video signal comprising a number of output Vsync pulses and an output clock, and a PLL circuit to control the output clock period as a constant ratio of the input Vsync period, and maintain a constant number of output clock periods per a number of input clock periods. Also provided is a system to perform the method as above using the circuit as above, maintaining a constant ratio between the output clock period and a number of input clock periods.

Abstract: A laundry machine includes a drum supported at least two spaced apart support locations for rotation about a rotation axis. A balance correction system is able to apply a variable amount of a balance correction mass at a selectable angular location of the drum at least two spaced apart locations along the drum rotation axis. A controller receives outputs of a set of sensors, and is programmed to continuously calculate balance corrections to apply.

Abstract: A circuit and a method for using the circuit to provide synchronization between a first video signal and a second video signal are provided, comprising a circuit to capture a first video signal, a circuit to measure the timing format of the first video signal including an input clock and count input Vsync pulses, a circuit to measure a phase difference between the first video signal and the second video signal, a circuit to generate an output video signal comprising a number of output Vsync pulses and an output clock, and a PLL circuit to control the output clock period as a constant ratio of the input Vsync period, and maintain a constant number of output clock periods per a number of input clock periods. Also provided is a system to perform the method as above using the circuit as above, maintaining a constant ratio between the output clock period and a number of input clock periods.

Abstract: A membrane supported biofilm apparatus has a plurality of hollow fiber gas permeable membranes in a tank containing water to be treated. The membranes have an outside diameter of about 200 microns or less and occupy between 0.5% and 4% of the tank volume. A biofilm supported on the membranes occupies between about 40% and 80% of the volume of water to be treated in a reactor. The membranes may be oriented generally vertically and a spreader may be located near the bottom of the apparatus to disperse the membranes. Wastewater treatment processes are described. A process to dentrify water or treat oxidized contaminants comprises introducing hydrogen into an inner volume of the membranes to grow autotrophic organisms in the biofilm near the membrane and heterotrophic organism near the water. Another process is operated at a biomass concentration of at least 10 g/L and up to about 40 g/L to maintain a biofilm having a surface area of over 1000 square metres per cubic metre of tank volume.

Abstract: Collapsible piñata devices and methods to manufacture collapsible piñata devices are provided. According to some embodiments of the present invention, a piñata can comprise an exterior shell and one or more internal support frame members. The internal frame members can support the exterior shell when the exterior shell is fully expanded in an uncollapsed position to form a piñata. The internal frame members can also support the exterior shell during transition from expanded to collapsed position and from collapsed to expanded position. The piñata can also be collapsed into a state for storage, travel, and to preserve the exterior appearance of the piñata. Other embodiments are also claimed and described.

Abstract: Collapsible piñata devices and methods to manufacture collapsible piñata devices are provided. According to some embodiments of the present invention, a piñata can comprise an exterior layer, a plurality of internal support frame members, and a support for carrying at least a portion of the exterior layer. The internal frame members can support the exterior layer when the exterior layer is fully expanded in an uncollapsed position to form a piñata. The piñata can also be collapsed into a state for storage, travel, and to preserve the exterior appearance of the piñata. Other embodiments are also claimed and described.

Abstract: Decorative garland string firework devices and methods for making same are provided. A garland string firework device can comprise an internal firework device and an outer decorative garland disposed around the internal firework device. The internal firework device can be an elongated firework string comprising combustible material. The outer garland can be an exterior firework generally disposed around at least a portion of the elongated firework string. The exterior firework can comprise combustible material. The exterior firework can have an elongated configuration and a compressed configuration. In the elongated configuration, the exterior firework can have a first length, and in the compressed configuration, the exterior firework can have a second length. The outer garland can comprise multiple component sheets attached at multiple locations to form a decorative appearance. Compression of the outer garland enables packaging and storage without damaging the garland string firework device.

Abstract: Magnetic reference patterns may be generated on a disk or other magnetic media without the need for seed wedges. This involves writing a first magnetic reference pattern to the disk with a servo writer. The disk may then be transferred to a hard disk drive. Control circuitry within the hard disk drive may recognize the first magnetic reference pattern and then position a RW head within the hard disk drive based on the first magnetic reference pattern. As the RW drive is accurately positioned based on the first magnetic reference pattern a second magnetic reference pattern may be written to the disk using the RW head. The RW head location is determined based on the velocity and phase between the read-write head and servo setter marks contained within the first magnetic reference pattern.

Abstract: A GNSS control system and method are provided for guiding, navigating and controlling a motive component, such as a tractor, and a working component, such as an implement. A vector position/heading sensor is mounted on the motive component and includes multiple antennas connected to a GNSS receiver. The sensor also includes inertial sensors and a direction sensor, which are connected to a microprocessor of a steering control module (SCM). The SCM can be hot swapped among different vehicles and can interface with their respective original, onboard control systems. The implement can be provided with an optional GNSS antenna, receiver or both, and can be guided independently of the motive component. The SCM can be preprogrammed to guide the vehicle over a field in operating modes including straight line, contour, concentric circle and point+direction.

Abstract: An articulated equipment position control system and method are provided for equipment consisting of motive and working components. The components are connected by an articulated connector, such as a pivotal hitch. GPS-derived positional data is utilized for power-articulating the hitch to maintain the working component, such as an implement, on a predetermined course. Operator-inducted course deviations can thus be corrected. The working component can also be positioned to follow the course of the movive component. The system includes a microprocessor control subsystem, which interfaces with a steering guidance system.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of generating magnetic reference patterns on a disk or other magnetic media. This involves writing a first magnetic reference pattern to the disk with a servo writer. The disk may then be transferred to a hard disk drive. Control circuitry within the hard disk drive may recognize the first magnetic reference pattern and then position a RW head within the hard disk drive based on the first magnetic reference pattern. As the RW drive is accurately positioned based on the first magnetic reference pattern a second magnetic reference pattern may be written to the disk using the RW head. The RW head location is determined based on the velocity and phase between the read-write head and servo setter marks contained within the first magnetic reference pattern.

Abstract: The invention provides methods of preventing and treating cancer, involving the use of attenuated, replication-com-petent, oncolytic herpes viruses.

Abstract: A floating interface assembly provides signal paths between an integrated circuit (IC) test head and contact pads on a load board or probe card accessing an IC to be tested. Pogo pins or other contactors for contacting the contact pads are mounted on the interface assembly and linked to the test head by flexible conductors. The interface assembly is attached to the test head by springs to allow it the freedom to rotate to some extent about any axis. As the test head approaches the contact pads, alignment pins engage and orient the interface assembly so that its contactors will mate with the contact pads. As the contactors come into contact with the contact pads, the interface assembly adjusts the plane of the contactors so as to evenly distribute contact pressure over all contactor pads.