Abstract: A fitting used with a container holding a pressurized beverage and adapted for connection to a filling or dispensing device has an annular and outwardly projecting collar formed unitarily with the fitting and forming a passage opening into the container and a flexible burst membrane in the fitting and blocking the passage.

Abstract: A system and method for rotating a source image by a first non-zero angle is provided. The method includes: defining a template for the source image, the template representing a rotation of the source image about an axis of the source image by second angle, where the second angle is the negative of the first non-zero angle; determining overlap between the template and the source image; separating the template into a plurality of strips covering at least the area of overlap; and for each strip: indentifying an initial pixel in the source image within the strip and storing the image data of the initial pixel; storing the image data of all remaining pixels within both the strip and the overlap in a database format in which the all remaining pixels is defined by a Y and X offset from the initial pixel.

Abstract: A fitting used with a container holding a pressurized beverage and adapted for connection to a filling or dispensing device has an annular and outwardly projecting collar formed unitarily with the fitting and forming a passage opening into the container and a flexible burst membrane in the fitting and blocking the passage.

Abstract: A system and method for rotating a source image by a first non-zero angle is provided. The method includes: defining a template for the source image, the template representing a rotation of the source image about an axis of the source image by second angle, where the second angle is the negative of the first non-zero angle; determining overlap between the template and the source image; separating the template into a plurality of strips covering at least the area of overlap; and for each strip: indentifying an initial pixel in the source image within the strip and storing the image data of the initial pixel; storing the image data of all remaining pixels within both the strip and the overlap in a database format in which the all remaining pixels is defined by a Y and X offset from the initial pixel.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods and compositions for designing novel fluorescent proteins, preferably to a green fluorescent proteins (GFP). The engineered GFPs are modified by substituting negatively charged amino acids with positively charged amino acids on the exterior of the protein making the protein cell permeable. The ability of the engineered fluorescent proteins to permeate cells obviates the need for transfections, allowing these novel proteins to be used in numerous biological applications.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling the communication frequencies of a software controlled radio by using GPS to calibrate one or more local oscillators and compensating within the digital radio processing for the local oscillator inaccuracies.

Abstract: A computer system uses redundant voting at the hardware clock level to detect and to correct single event upsets (SEU) and other random failures. In one preferred embodiment, the computer includes four or more commercial processing units (CPUs) operating in strict "lock-step" and whose outputs (33, 37) to system memory and system bus are voted by a gate array which may be implemented in a custom integrated circuit. A custom memory controller interfaces to the system memory and system bus. The data and address (35, 37) at each write to and read from memory within the computer are voted at each CPU clock cycle. A vote status and control circuit "reads" the status of the vote and controls the state of the CPUs using hardware and software. The majority voted signals are used by the agreeing CPUs 32 to continue processing operations without interruption.

Abstract: A non-intrusive power control for a fault tolerant computer system which uses redundant voting at the hardware clock level. The computer includes three or more commercial central processing units (CPUs) operating synchronously. Outputs to system memory and system bus are voted by a radiation tolerant gate array which may be implemented in a custom integrated circuit. An interface control coupled to the voter can remove or connect power from a CPU and adjust CPU inputs, preventing damage to the components without terminating an operating program. The inputs and outputs at each write to and read from system memory are voted at each CPU clock cycle. A vote status and control circuit "reads" the status of the vote and controls the state of the CPUs using hardware and software. The system logic selects the best chance of recovering from a detected fault by re-synchronizing all CPUs, powering down a faulty CPU, or switching to a spare computer, resetting and re-booting the substituted CPU.