Abstract: Lighting effects can be added to various items such as sporting goods and toys, such as cheer poms, cheer megaphones, pool and beach floats, rafts, stuffed toys, vases and hanging planters, flower/bouquet wraps and seating, such as automotive seating. The lights may be LED lights that provide a relatively bright light output with respect to the power consumed. The LED lights may be selectable between various colors and may flash, be solid, or light in a pattern, as is known in the art. One or more solar charging units may be used to charge a power source, such as a battery pack, in the item. In other embodiments, a rechargeable battery pack may be charged by plugging in the device or having the device in proximity to a proximity charger, for example. Alternatively, a standard replaceable battery pack may be used in the device.

Abstract: A shoe lace-shaped light may be attached to a user's shoes, bedroom slippers, shoelaces, or similar footwear, for example. The shoe lace-shaped light may be pre-folded and pre-tied and may not become unfolded or untied. The shoe lace-shaped light may be powered by, for example, one or more batteries and/or solar power. The lights may be LED lights and may be made as part of the pre-folded, pre-tied shoe laces.

Abstract: A wheel light assembly may be mounted on wheel studs of a wheel hub, between the wheel hub and the rim of the wheel. The wheel light assembly may include a mounting plate having wheel stud holes in a pattern matching the pattern of the wheel studs onto which the light assembly is to be mounted. The wheel light assembly may further include one or more light bars extending from the mounting plate. The light bars may include one or more lights connected to a power source. The power source may be solar power and/or a battery. The wheel light assembly may include a remote power switch for turning the power to the light bars on and off from inside the vehicle. The vehicle may be an automobile, motorcycle, bicycle or any similar wheeled vehicle.

Abstract: A shoe lace-shaped light may be attached to a user's shoes, bedroom slippers, shoelaces, or similar footwear, for example. The shoe lace-shaped light may be pre-folded and pre-tied and may not become unfolded or untied. The shoe lace-shaped light may be powered by, for example, one or more batteries and/or solar power. The lights may be LED lights and may be made as part of the pre-folded, pre-tied shoe laces.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is technology for, among other things, a current feedback fully differential amplifier. The amplifier includes an input stage operable to sense an input current at a first terminal and a second terminal. The input stage includes a first buffer having an input coupled with the first terminal and an output coupled with said the terminal. The input stage further includes a second buffer having an output coupled with the first terminal and an input coupled with the second terminal.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is technology for, among other things, a current feedback fully differential amplifier. The amplifier includes an input stage operable to sense an input current at a first terminal and a second terminal. The input stage includes a first buffer having an input coupled with the first terminal and an output coupled with said the terminal. The input stage further includes a second buffer having an output coupled with the first terminal and an input coupled with the second terminal.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for distributed polyphase spread spectrum communication and non-contiguous spectrum underlay. The method includes polyphase channelizing a direct sequence spread spectrum (DSSS) signal, determining available spectrum in an observed frequency range having a noise floor based on detection of polyphase users below the noise floor, distributing the polyphase channelized signal among the available spectrum, and interference mitigation using a combination of standard signal detection and cyclostationary feature detection methods.

Abstract: A method for delivering a naked or isolated polynucleotide to the interior of a cell in a vertebrate, comprising the interstitial introduction of a naked polynucleotide into a tissue of the vertebrate where the polynucleotide is taken up by the cells of the tissue and exerts a therapeutic effect on the vertebrate. The method can be used to deliver a therapeutic polypeptide to the cells of the vertebrate, to provide an immune response upon in vivo translation of the polynucleotide, to deliver antisense polynucleotides, to deliver receptors to the cells of the vertebrate, or to provide transitory gene therapy.

Abstract: Waveguide phase shifter (200, FIG. 2 and 300, FIG. 3) uses piezoelectric ceramics to implement a voltage variable actuator (270, 370) for moving at least one dielectric vane (255, 355) relative to a reference surface (206, 306) in a waveguide cavity (285, 385). In this manner, the phase shift in waveguide phase shifters (200, 300) is controlled. In one embodiment, actuator (270) comprises first piezoelectric wafer (210), second piezoelectric wafer (220), first metallic layer (230), second metallic layer (240), third metallic layer (250), mating surface (272) and spacer (265). Actuator (270) uses a stack of piezoelectric materials to establish a lever arm mechanism to establish vertical movement (294) and move dielectric vane (255). Actuator (370) uses a stack of piezoelectric materials to establish vertical movement (394) and move dielectric vane (355). Waveguide phase shifters (200, 300) are used in phased array antenna (400) operating at microwave frequencies.

Abstract: An antenna system (10) capable of transmitting electromagnetic radiation using the technique of combining two quadrature signals for either right hand circular polarization or left hand circular polarization using a circularly polarized antenna (30), or alternately, either horizontal or vertical polarization using a linearly polarized antenna (36) while incorporating feedback for automatically correcting for amplitude and phase variations in the quadrature paths using a switch (12) which selects the sense of the polarization and electronic optimization of the transmit antenna (30, 36). The antenna system includes a control circuit having a polarization switch (12) for receiving a transmission signal. The switch (12) generates first and second output signals which are substantially similar to the transmission signal, and determines whether to apply the transmission signal to one of a first or a second switch output.

Abstract: An array (100) of voltage variable capacitors (110) is provided in which voltage variable capacitors (110) are fabricated with piezoelectric displacement devices (150). Voltage variable capacitors (110) have first plates (120) which are coupled to displacement devices (150). First plates (120) are dielectrically coupled to second plates (130). Displacement device (150) has a stack of metallic layers (154), voltage variable material blocks (152), and voltage supply terminals (170) and (180). Voltage differences are established across voltage variable material blocks (152) using voltage supply terminals (170) and (180). A voltage difference causes a voltage variable material layer to change thickness, and this causes first plate (120) to move relative to second plate (130). Voltage variable material is selected from a group of piezoelectric ceramics, which can include lead-titanate (PbTiO.sub.3), lead-zirconate (PbZrO.sub.3), barium-titanate (BaTiO.sub.3), and lead-zirconate-titanate (PbZr.sub.x Ti.sub.1-x O.

Abstract: A phased array antenna (1000) is formed using a number of independently controllable piezoelectric phase shifters (1300) which results in a low cost phased array antenna that is functional at microwave and/or millimeter wave frequencies. In addition, the independently controllable piezoelectric phase shifters (1300) have sufficient phase range to allow a single antenna to be steered over a wide angle field of view. Piezoelectric phase shifters (1300) comprise at least one-voltage variable capacitor (1310, 1320, FIG. 2). Typically, the piezoelectric material used in the voltage variable capacitors is selected from a group consisting of lead-titanate (PbTiO.sub.3), lead-zirconate (PbZrO.sub.3), barium-titanate (BaTiO.sub.3), and lead-zirconate-titanate (PbZr.sub.x Ti.sub.1-x O.sub.3), where x varies from zero to one.

Abstract: An automatic and integrated mechanical and electrical accelerometer test system including a test fixture for holding the accelerometers to be mechanically and electrically tested; a handler subsystem for automatically feeding the accelerometers to the test fixture; a shaker subsystem for mechanically testing the accelerometers, the shaker subsystem linked to the test fixture, the shaker subsystem automatically vibrating the test fixture; and a tester for electrically testing the accelerometers while the accelerometers are vibrating.

Abstract: An adjustable casing hanger comprising a first tubular component having an end connection attachable to the upper end of a casing string in use; a second tubular component securable to the first component, the relative axial position in which the first component is secured to the second component being adjustable to vary the vertical position at which the casing string is supported; and a load shoulder radically movable between an expanded position in which in use it supports the second component on a co-operating landing surface and a contracted position in which it allows passage of the shoulder past the landing surface.

Abstract: A carrier is used to couple a packaged device having leads of a certain length to a testing device. The carrier includes an adapter for receiving packaged dies with leads that are cut so that they are otherwise too short for the testing device. The adapter thus allows the leads to be cut prior to testing.

Abstract: This invention relates to the technical field of portable hand-carried rear-view safety mirrors and more especially to a rear-view mirror adapted for use upon the back portion of a glove. The device combines the safety features of a rear-view mirror with the manipulative and traditional features of a worn glove.

Abstract: Particular 2,2-dialkylepoxide compositions are provided which are characterized by their novel structure, their liquidity at room temperature and by their unique applicability to a variety of uses.

Abstract: A variable oscillator controlled by a phase-locked loop to lock on to a received pulse of radio frequency waves, sample and hold circuitry sampling the control signal in the loop and storing the signal, and a timed switch disconnecting the oscillator from the loop and connecting it to the sample and hold circuit after a predetermined period of time so that the oscillator is locked on to the radio frequency after the single pulse ceases.

Abstract: A novel catalyst material of a boron containing substance for catalyzing the liquid phase oxidation of an olefin with an organic hydroperoxide to the corresponding oxirane is disclosed. The novel catalyst materials are characterized as binary or ternary boride compounds having the general formula M.sub.x B.sub.y or M.sub.x B.sub.y R.sub.z wherein x is an integer from 1-5; y is an integer from 1-2; z is an integer from 1-4; B is boron; M is an element selected from the groups II-A, III-B, IV-B, V-B, VI-B, VII-B, VIII, III-A, IV-A, and V-A of the Periodic Table, the rare earths, and the actinides; and R is an element different from M selected from the same group of elements in the Periodic Table as M. The preferred catalyst materials are those boron containing substances which are substantially insoluble in the reaction mixture containing the organic hydroperoxides, olefins and products.

Abstract: A novel catalyst material of a boron containing substance for catalyzing the liquid phase oxidation of an olefin with an organic hydroperoxide to the corresponding oxirane is disclosed. The novel catalyst materials are characterized as binary or ternary boride compounds having the general formula M.sub.x B.sub.y or M.sub.x B.sub.y R.sub.z wherein x is an integer from 1-5; y is an integer from 1-2; z is an integer from 1-4; B is boron; M is an element selected from the groups II-A, III-B, IV-B, V-B, VI-B, VII-B, VIII, III-A, IV-A, and V-A of the Periodic Table, the rare earths, and the actinides; and R is an element different from M selected from the same group of elements in the Periodic Table as M. The preferred catalyst materials are those boron containing substances which are substantially insoluble in the reaction mixture containing the organic hydroperoxides, olefins and products.