Abstract: A method of calibrating throttle controls in an electronic shift and throttle system includes opening the throttle and then moving the throttle back towards a hard stop in increments. The voltage level of an electrical signal sent by a throttle position sensor is measured and recorded at each increment. An idle position is established as being where the lowest voltage level was measured when the throttle is at least 0.75° away from the hard stop.

Abstract: Light transmission may be controlled using a system that includes a linear polarizing means and an ellipticity increaser associated with a display. The ellipticity increaser is configured and oriented with respect to the linear polarizing means for increasing the ellipticity of light passing from the linear polarizing means through the ellipticity increaser. The system also includes an ellipticity adjuster and a linear polarizer spaced away from the display. The ellipticity adjuster is oriented with respect to the linear polarizer for increasing the ellipticity of light passing from the linear polarizer through the ellipticity adjuster. The ellipticity increaser and adjuster are disposed between the linear polarizing means and the linear polarizer, and are configured and oriented with respect to each other for reducing ellipticity of light passing from the linear polarizing means through the ellipticity increaser and adjuster to the linear polarizer.

Abstract: A semi-tractor including a pair of C-shaped frame rails and having a rail distance therebetween, a fifth wheel hitch having mounting areas therein, mounting brackets located within the mounting areas, and a support assembly supporting the mounting brackets. An outside distance between the mounting areas is shorter than the rail distance.

Abstract: A deheader valve is fitted onto an existing or new coke drum by initially positioning the body and valve, and then raising the valve to mate with the flange using a lifting device other than a chain fall. The vertical positioning of the deheader valve is preferably accomplished with a hydraulic or pneumatic piston, winch, scissor jack, ratchet jack, screw jack, and so forth. The distance traveled by the valve using these devices is more than 2 cm, commonly at least 20 cm, and in some installations up to 40 cm or more. In retrofit situations an oil inlet is provided in a side wall of the drum above the bottom drum flange.

Abstract: Light transmission in a vehicle may be controlled using a system that includes a linear polarizing means and an ellipticity increaser associated with a display in the vehicle. The ellipticity increaser is configured and oriented with respect to the linear polarizing means for increasing the ellipticity of light passing from the linear polarizing means through the ellipticity increaser. The system also includes an ellipticity adjuster and a linear polarizer associated with a window of the vehicle. The ellipticity adjuster is oriented with respect to the linear polarizer for increasing the ellipticity of light passing from the linear polarizer through the ellipticity adjuster. The ellipticity increaser and adjuster are disposed between the linear polarizing means and the linear polarizer, and are configured and oriented with respect to each other for reducing ellipticity of light passing from the linear polarizing means through the ellipticity increaser and adjuster to the linear polarizer.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for processing nitrogen-concentrated effluents by ammonia oxidation into nitrites followed by nitrite denitritation in a gaseous nitrogen in a sequential biological reactor (1) consisting in pouring a processable effluent volume in to the reactor by successive volume fractions, in dividing the entire processing cycle into successive sub cycles, wherein each sub-cycle comprises a feeding phase, an aeration phase for nitrification and an anoxia phase along which a carbon-containing source is introduced into the reactor for converting nitrites into nitrogen.

Abstract: Light transmission in a vehicle may be controlled using a system that includes a linear polarizing means and an ellipticity increaser associated with a display in the vehicle. The ellipticity increaser is configured and oriented with respect to the linear polarizing means for increasing the ellipticity of light passing from the linear polarizing means through the ellipticity increaser. The system also includes an ellipticity adjuster and a linear polarizer associated with a window of the vehicle. The ellipticity adjuster is oriented with respect to the linear polarizer for increasing the ellipticity of light passing from the linear polarizer through the ellipticity adjuster. The ellipticity increaser and adjuster are disposed between the linear polarizing means and the linear polarizer, and are configured and oriented with respect to each other for reducing ellipticity of light passing from the linear polarizing means through the ellipticity increaser and adjuster to the linear polarizer.

Abstract: Methods and systems for applying nanowires and electrical devices to surfaces are described. In a first aspect, at least one nanowire is provided proximate to an electrode pair. An electric field is generated by electrodes of the electrode pair to associate the at least one nanowire with the electrodes. The electrode pair is aligned with a region of the destination surface. The at least one nanowire is deposited from the electrode pair to the region. In another aspect, a plurality of electrical devices is provided proximate to an electrode pair. An electric field is generated by electrodes of the electrode pair to associate an electrical device of the plurality of electrical devices with the electrodes. The electrode pair is aligned with a region of the destination surface. The electrical device is deposited from the electrode pair to the region.

Abstract: A short span fifth wheel hitch comprising a hitch plate, at least one back rib, a peripheral flange connected to ends of the back rib, and a main rib extending between the back rib and a portion of the peripheral flange, with the main rib being connected to ends of the peripheral flange. The fifth wheel hitch also includes skirts extending from the hitch plate adjacent the back rib. At least two pairs of mounting ribs are located interior of the peripheral flange and the back rib, each pair of mounting ribs including aligned apertures for accepting a mounting pin therein, whereby a mounting bracket can be inserted into a space between the mounting ribs of each pair of mounting ribs and the mounting pin can be placed through the aligned apertures and the mounting bracket to connect the fifth wheel hitch to a tractor.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and systems for nanowire alignment and deposition. Energizing (e.g., an alternating current electric field) is used to align and associate nanowires with electrodes. By modulating the energizing, the nanowires are coupled to the electrodes such that they remain in place during subsequent wash and drying steps. The invention also provides methods for transferring nanowires from one substrate to another in order to prepare various device substrates. The present invention also provides methods for monitoring and controlling the number of nanowires deposited at a particular electrode pair, as well as methods for manipulating nanowires in solution.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for processing nitrogen-concentrated effluents by ammonia oxidation into nitrites followed by nitrite denitritation in a gaseous nitrogen in a sequential biological reactor (1) consisting in pouring a processable effluent volume in to the reactor by successive volume fractions, in dividing the entire processing cycle into successive sub cycles, wherein each sub-cycle comprises a feeding phase, an aeration phase for nitrification and an anoxia phase along which a carbon-containing source is introduced into the reactor for converting nitrites into nitrogen.

Abstract: A short span fifth wheel hitch comprising a hitch plate, at least one back rib, a peripheral flange connected to ends of the back rib, and a main rib extending between the back rib and a portion of the peripheral flange, with the main rib being connected to ends of the peripheral flange. The fifth wheel hitch also includes skirts extending from the hitch plate adjacent the back rib. At least two pairs of mounting ribs are located interior of the peripheral flange and the back rib, each pair of mounting ribs including aligned apertures for accepting a mounting pin therein, whereby a mounting bracket can be inserted into a space between the mounting ribs of each pair of mounting ribs and the mounting pin can be placed through the aligned apertures and the mounting bracket to connect the fifth wheel hitch to a tractor.

Abstract: Phosphorylated glucomannan polysaccharide compositions are shown to effectively enhance healthy immune function. Dosage forms including pills, sprays, functional foods and cosmetics may achieve this benefit while being essentially free of storage protein from nongerminated seeds of Ricinus communis.

Abstract: Configurations and methods are provided in which a bottom head is coupled to a coke vessel via a conveyor and an elevator such that the elevator moves the bottom head vertically relative to the coke vessel, and the conveyor moves the bottom head along a curved path. Contemplated configurations are especially advantageous where a coke vessel deheading device has a hinged or swing-away head and wherein the head and the vessel have a close-fit diametrical tolerance fit.

Abstract: A deheader valve is fitted onto an existing or new coke drum by initially positioning the body and valve, and then raising the valve to mate with the flange using a lifting device other than a chain fall. The vertical positioning of the deheader valve is preferably accomplished with a hydraulic or pneumatic piston, winch, scissor jack, ratchet jack, screw jack, and so forth. The distance traveled by the valve using these devices is more than 2 cm, commonly at least 20 cm, and in some installations up to 40 cm or more. In retrofit situations an oil inlet is provided in a side wall of the drum above the bottom drum flange.

Abstract: A power supply unit according to a preferred embodiment of the invention is self testing. The power supply unit is enabled to function with no external loads applied, and includes a visual indicator of whether or not one or more voltage outputs of the power supply unit is within tolerance. To benefit from the self-test feature, a user in the field may simply unplug the power supply unit from all loads, plug the unit into an A/C source, and observe the visual indicator. If the visual indicator is lit, then the user may reasonably assume that the power supply unit is functioning correctly. But if the visual indicator is not lit, then the user may reasonably assume that the power supply unit is faulty.

Abstract: Improved coke chute systems (100) include a lock (130) that receives and automatically secures a coke-receiving conduit (110) to a coke vessel after the lock (130) is switched to a closed position. Contemplated systems may further be combined with a horizontally movable coke chute cover, or a cover that is moved by an actuator (114) that lifts and rotates the cover from a first position to a second position.

Abstract: A coke drum head is hinged to a coke drum body using a compound joint such as a trammel pivot, and the head is moved between open and closed positions using an actuator. In moving between open and closed positions, the head traces out a non-circular path which reduces the required headroom relative to a head using a standard pivot.

Abstract: Methods for the diagnosis of visceral, cutaneous and canine leishmaniasis in a subject suspected of being infected with the parasitic protozoa Leishmania is disclosed. Disclosed are antibody-capture enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) for the detection of antibodies to Leishmania parasite soluble antigens and antigen-capture ELISAs for the detection of Leishmania parasite soluble antigens in host samples. Also disclosed are immunodiagnostic kits for the detection of Leishmania parasite circulating antigens or IgM and IgG antibodies in a sample from subject having visceral, cutaneous or canine leishmaniasis. In these methods and kits, detection may be done photometrically or visually. The methods and kits also allow the visualization of Leishmania amastigotes or promastigotes in a sample.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises a movable lock ring and a lock arm that prevents inadvertent movement of the lock ring. Contemplated configurations are especially useful in delayed coking vessels to prevent opening of the vessel while the vessel is in operation.