Abstract: Systems and methods to fuse aviation-related data systems for comprehensive aircraft system health monitoring are provided. One example method includes obtaining, by one or more computing devices, fault data indicative of a plurality of fault indications provided by a first plurality of components of an aircraft. The method includes obtaining, by the one or more computing devices, condition indicators describing the respective operational conditions of a second plurality of components of the aircraft. The method includes fusing, by the one or more computing devices, the fault data with the condition indicators to form a comprehensive data set. The method includes identifying, by the one or more computing devices, one or more causes of the plurality of fault conditions based at least in part on the comprehensive data set. One example system includes a data fuser, a cause identifier, and an alert generator.

Abstract: Human hepatocyte cell cultures and their use in bioreactors and bioartificial liver (BAL) systems are provided. The cells have constitutive liver-specific metabolic activity resembling that of freshly isolated human hepatocytes. The hepatocyte cells and BAL systems can be used to treat patients suffering from acute liver failure, end-stage liver disease, or acute-on-chronic liver disease.

Abstract: The present invention concerns human hepatocyte cell line cultures and their use in bioartificial liver (BAL) systems. These systems are used to treat subjects suffering from liver failure to temporarily compensate for loss of hepatocellular function and generally comprise a bioreactor loaded with functional liver cells. Until now, it has been problematic to acquire cells with a broad spectrum metabolic functionality, resembling that of freshly isolated human hepatocytes, to the extent that they are in fact suitable for successful clinical BAL application The present inventors have managed to develop human hepatocyte cell line cultures that display broad-spectrum metabolic functionality such as to render them particularly suitable for effective clinical BAL application.

Abstract: The present invention concerns human hepatocyte cell line cultures and their use in bioartificial liver (BAL) systems. These systems are used to treat subjects suffering from liver failure to temporarily compensate for loss of hepatocellular function and generally comprise a bioreactor loaded with functional liver cells. Until now, it has been problematic to acquire cells with a broad spectrum metabolic functionality, resembling that of freshly isolated human hepatocytes, to the extent that they are in fact suitable for successful clinical BAL application The present inventors have managed to develop human hepatocyte cell line cultures that display broad-spectrum metabolic functionality such as to render them particularly suitable for effective clinical BAL application.

Abstract: In one form of the invention, a method for generating a local clock signal responsive to signals on a Universal Serial Bus (“USB”) includes generating a frequency-bearing clock signal by a free running oscillator on an integrated circuitry chip of a device coupled to the USB. The oscillator runs at a frequency that is substantially stable but initially known with substantial inaccuracy. A single ended bit-serial signal is extracted from received signals sent by a USB host or hub and timing signals are responsively asserted. A bit pattern is detected in the single ended bit-serial signal and intervals are measured during which the timing signals are asserted. The period P of the local clock signal is adjusted responsive to one of the measured intervals. In one variant, the initial inaccuracy is at least partly because the oscillator consists solely of circuitry on the chip.

Abstract: A multi-mode IC is provided for operating in a first mode such as an ISO mode in accordance with International Standards Organization 7816 (ISO 7816) protocol, and a second, non-ISO mode, such as a USB mode in accordance with Universal Serial Bus (USB) protocol. The multi-mode IC is preferably in a smart card and includes a microprocessor and an external interface. The external interface comprises a voltage supply pad, a ground pad, a first set of pads for the first mode, and 2 second set of pads for the second mode. The first set of pads preferably include a reset pad, a clock pad and an input/output pad in accordance with the ISO 7816 protocol, and may also include a variable supply voltage pad in accordance with the ISO 7816 protocol. The IC further includes a mode configuration circuit for detecting a mode condition on one pad of the first set of pads, and configuring the IC in the ISO mode or the non-ISO mode depending on the result.

Abstract: In one form of the invention, a method for generating a local clock signal responsive to signals on a Universal Serial Bus (“USB”) includes generating a frequency-bearing clock signal by a free running oscillator on an integrated circuitry chip of a device coupled to the USB. The oscillator runs at a frequency that is substantially stable but initially known with substantial inaccuracy. A single ended bit-serial signal is extracted from received signals sent by a USB host or hub and timing signals are responsively asserted. A bit pattern is detected in the single ended bit-serial signal and intervals are measured during which the timing signals are asserted. The period P of the local clock signal is adjusted responsive to one of the measured intervals. In one variant, the initial inaccuracy is at least partly because the oscillator consists solely of circuitry on the chip.

Abstract: A method and device are disclosed for detecting successful transfers between a Universal Serial Bus (USB) port and a USB smart card and generating a signal that provides an indication of the USB transaction activity. This USB transaction activity signal is modulated according to the USB transaction activity and drives a Light Emitting Diode (LED) in a preferred embodiment of the invention. A counter internal to the USB smart card scales the transaction activity signal such that it is perceptible to the user. Because the current through the LED depends upon the USB transaction activity, the brightness of the LED varies according to the USB transaction activity. The LED may be driven from a current mirror sink or source, or a current switch sink or source.

Abstract: A system and method for coating a length of material 1 with and electron-beam curable coating or an ultraviolet curable coating comprises placing a portion of the material to be coated under tension or compression and driving or pulling the material 1 through a coating system 100 whereby a liquid coating is applied. The material 1 is then exposed to electron beam radiation and/or ultraviolet radiation to cure the coating applied thereto.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for communicating with a host. In one embodiment, a smart card has an IC with voltage conditioning circuitry and a pull-up resistor. The smart card, when inserted in a smart card reader coupled to the host, is capable of signaling the host over a bus using the pull-up resistor selectively coupled to a voltage output of the voltage conditioning circuitry and a first output of the smart card. The voltage conditioning circuitry output is selectively coupled to the first output through the resistor, responsive to the device being powered by the bus but not transmitting. This tends to pull up the first output to the voltage level of the voltage source, which makes the smart card capable of being properly detected by the host upon the bus being driven by a host. Selectively disconnecting the pull-up resistor while the smart card is transmitting or receiving results in a more balanced differential output signal.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for communicating with a host. In one embodiment, a smart card has an IC with voltage conditioning circuitry and a pull-up resistor. The smart card, when inserted in a smart card reader coupled to the host, is capable of signaling the host over a bus using the pull-up resistor selectively coupled to a voltage output of the voltage conditioning circuitry and a first output of the smart card. The voltage conditioning circuitry output is selectively coupled to the first output through the resistor, responsive to the device being powered by the bus but not transmitting. This tends to pull up the first output to the voltage level of the voltage source, which makes the smart card capable of being properly detected by the host upon the bus being driven by a host. Selectively disconnecting the pull-up resistor while the smart card is transmitting or receiving results in a more balanced differential output signal.

Abstract: The massage shower system (6) includes injectors (7) for directing jets of water and air and water under pressure substantially radially towards the body of a patient standing up, a frame (9, 42, 44) supporting the injectors (7), and an actuator (10, 43) for communicating to the frame a vertical reciprocating movement with respect to the patient. The frame is displaceable between a lower position and an upper position along the vertical direction, according to an ascending movement the speed of which varies from a minimum to a maximum value.

Abstract: The device comprises a bathtub (2), injection orifices (5) associated with supply devices (12, 20) for producing hydrodynamic jets directed interiorly of the bathtub (2), and control units (22, 25, 27) for orienting in a synchronized manner the hydrodynamic jets issuing from the injection orifices (5) disposed on side surfaces (3, 4) of the bathtub (2). The control units are arranged such that, when they downwardly orient a hydrodynamic jet issuing from an injection orifice disposed on one side surface of the bathtub, they simultaneously upwardly orient a hydrodynamic jet issuing from an injection orifice disposed on the opposite side surface of the bathtub, and vice versa.

Abstract: A projectile for hand and shoulder weapons has a cylindrical body and a nose, the longitudinal cross-section of the nose being defined by two concave lines which are symmetrical with respect to the axis of the projectile. An internal cavity formed within the projectile body and open at the end remote from the nose is at least partly filled with charge power which has been introduced into the cartridge case. The initial velocity thus imparted to the projectile is higher than that of a projectile of the conventional type and of the same caliber.

Abstract: Method for the manufacture of flexible disks from engraved moulds by means of a compression press comprising starting with a roll of plastic material and bringing a strip of material between the open plates of a compression press without making a preliminary hole in said strip. A preliminary hole is made during the closing of the plates by means of a first punch matched to a complementary punch, said punches serving as centering means for the two moulds, then by the guidance of the first punch in the complimentary punch for the centering of the moulds with respect to one another. The central hole is cut when the plates are closed by means of the complementary punch which is maintained in the raised position throughout the end of the pressing cycle.

Abstract: The device of the invention allows a flexible substrate to be applied against the etched matrix with insertion therebetween of a layer of resin, the application of the substrate on the matrix taking place from the center progressively towards the periphery. It comprises support means in the form of a ring cooperating with a deformable resilient cushion of a convex shape so as to give a curved shape to the substrate at the beginning of molding then to effect the progressive application, while ensuring relative centering of the substrate and the matrix.

Abstract: Method for the manufacture of flexible disks from engraved moulds by means of a compression press comprising starting with a roll of plastic material and bringing a strip of material between the open plates of a compression press without making a preliminary hole in said strip. A preliminary hole is made during the closing of the plates by means of a first punch matched to a complementary punch, said punches serving as centering means for the two moulds, then by the guidance of the first punch in the complimentary punch for the centering of the moulds with respect to one another. The central hole is cut when the plates are closed by means of the complementary punch which is maintained in the raised position throughout the end of the pressing cycle.

Abstract: A circuit capable of providing the negative resistance heart of oscillators or amplifiers in the 5-20 Gc/s frequency band, comprising a central resonant cavity and one or several peripheral exciting chambers, each containing a push-pull arrangement of two diodes for example three pairs of diodes in chambers arranged at 120.degree. from one another on a circle concentric to the central cavity. The diodes are located at the bottoms of cylindrical exciting chambers communicating with the central chamber through holes situated at the center of each push-pull arrangement. Each pair of diodes is maintained and polarized by a metallic bar which plays, with the walls of the exciting chamber, the role of an impedance transformer between the diodes and the central cavity. The metallic bar is maintained by a polarization rod penetrating the chamber through an insulating passage.

Abstract: In order to position a sensitized plate in the image plane of a projection lens, the optical projection system is provided with a set of extensible jacks placed in a circle around the lens, the desired image plane being defined by the ends of the jacks when they are in the outwardly displaced position. The plate can then be placed against the ends of the jacks by means of a spherical-bearing unit which is locked in position, whereupon the jacks are caused to withdraw and the plate can be displaced in the image plane while remaining at the focusing distance. The invention is well suited to the construction of photorepeaters.

Abstract: A circuit for microwave oscillators or amplifiers, yielding the maximum microwave power from negative resistance diodes feeding into one and the same waveguide section. Diodes are arranged in pairs symmetrically at the level of one and the same right section of the waveguide but outside the waveguide cavity. In the case where two diodes are used, these are screwed into clamps arranged in chambers opening into the cavity. Cylinders effect impedance matching between waveguides and diodes and are supported mechanically by a shaft which supplies the direct voltage for the circuit.