Abstract: A one-piece tube for use as a watertube within a watertube boiler or heat exchanger has a free end section that is formed to have an integral, outward-extending circumferential ring, or flange, a spaced distance from an adjacent end face of the tube. This is preferably accomplished by radially expanding the tube within the free end section and by axially compressing the free end section to cause a portion of the tube to bulge radially outward to from the circumferential ring, or flange. The flange enables the watertube to be readily driven into engagement with a dome, manifold or like casting without the creation of leaks, such as weld leaks. The free end section of the tube that extends from the circumferential ring, or flange, to the adjacent end face of the tube can be formed with a taper such that the diameter of an outer wall of the tube progressively decreases from the circumferential ring, or flange, to the end face.

Abstract: A performance analysis support system is disclosed that provides one or more recommended solutions of a performance improvement project to management and the expected improvement benefit of each solution. The performance analysis support system guides a user through a detailed, consistent analysis process, helping organizational leaders accurately diagnose critical performance or productivity issues. Then, the performance analysis support system estimates the personnel and equipment requirements, time, costs, and return on investment associated with each solution generated based on the analysis results. In addition, the performance analysis support system provides management immediate access to ongoing and past analyses.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for the in situ production of hydrogen and for the synthesis of high value/energy chemical products from low value/energy organic material.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for detecting and quantitating NADH/NAD+ and/or NADPH/NADP+ as well as NADHJNAD+ and/or NADPH/NADP+ dependent enzymes using a photoelectrochemical cell.

Abstract: A hybrid vehicle includes an internal combustion engine coupled to a combined starter/motor/generator which is, in turn, coupled to a transmission of the vehicle. The starter/motor/generator is coupled to a high voltage battery pack via an inverter and to a deployable power output panel for serving loads external to the vehicle. Whenever external loads are to be powered, a control unit automatically places the vehicle in PARK, or alternatively activates an electrical parking brake system to hold the vehicle stationary.

Abstract: A method of screening for genetic or epigenetic markers associated with autism or related disorders comprises the steps of providing a biological sample from a mammal; and testing the sample or genetic material isolated from the sample for genetic polymorphisms/mutations and/or epigenetic alterations. The polymorphism may be located in the Xq/Yq pseudoautosomal gene region and extends into the adjacent Xq28 gene region.

Abstract: Device for automatically implementing the SPE method, with a two-dimensional needle arrangement which is suitable for removing substances from different two-dimensional specimen vessel arrangements and dispensing them under pressure into a two-dimensional cartridge arrangement.

Abstract: We disclose a strain detector for in-situ lift-out, comprising a nano-manipulator probe shaft; a strain gauge mounted on the probe shaft; and a first cut-out on the probe shaft. The first cut-out has a rectangular cross-section. There is a second cut-out on the probe shaft; the second cut-out having a semicircular cross-section. The second cut-out is positioned on the shaft opposite from the first cut-out; the first and second cut-outs, thus defining a thinned region in the probe. The strain gauge is mounted on the probe shaft at the location of the thinned region. There is detecting circuitry for detecting, amplifying and conditioning the output of the strain gauge; and, wires electrically connecting the strain gauge to the detection circuitry. The wires are preferably located in a trench in the probe shaft. Other embodiments are disclosed with multiple strain gauges and detectors, as well as methods of use.

Abstract: We disclose an apparatus and method for detecting probe-tip contact with a surface, generally inside a focused ion-beam instrument, where the probe tip is attached to a capsule, and the capsule is movably secured in a probe shaft. There is a fiber-optic cable having a first end and a second end; a beam splitter having first and second output ports; and a light source connected to the beam splitter. The first output port of the beam splitter is connected to the first end of the fiber-optic cable, and the second output port of the beam splitter is connected to a photodiode. The second end of the fiber-optic cable has a mirror for reflecting incident light at approximately a ninety-degree angle to the axis of the optical path in the fiber-optic cable and onto the capsule, so that the intensity of the light reflected back from the capsule through the fiber-optic cable is proportional to the deflection of the capsule as the probe tip makes contact with the surface.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a device for optical analytic measurement in a multisample carrier, particularly for measuring fluorescence or bioluminescence.

Abstract: A system and method for facilitating commerce, the system and method including the steps of allowing a user to select one or more items from a list presented to the user, associating the one or more items with at least one alias, mapping the one or more items into a preselected format and cataloging the mapped data so that it can be accessed by at least the user, so that the mapped data is integrated with a storefront so that the items may be located and sold using the mapped data.

Abstract: A screening system and method are described herein which provide a unique and practical solution for enabling label-free high throughput screening (HTS) to aid in the discovery of new drugs. In one embodiment, the screening system enables direct binding assays to be performed in which a biomolecular interaction of a chemical compound (drug candidate) with a biomolecule (therapeutic target) can be detected using assay volumes and concentrations that are compatible with the current practices of HTS in the pharmaceutical industry. The screening system also enables the detection of bio-chemical interactions that occurr in the wells of a microplate which incorporates biosensors and surface chemistry to immobilize the therapeutic target at the surface of the biosensors. The screening system also includes fluid handling and plate handling devices to help perform automated HTS assays.

Abstract: A sensor has a plurality of carbon nanotube (CNT)-based conductors operatively positioned on a substrate. The conductors are arranged side-by-side, such as in a substantially parallel relationship to one another. At least one pair of spaced-apart electrodes is coupled to opposing ends of the conductors. A portion of each of the conductors spanning between each pair of electrodes comprises a plurality of carbon nanotubes arranged end-to-end and substantially aligned along an axis. Because a direct correlation exists between the resistance of a carbon nanotube and its strain, changes experienced by the portion of the structure to which the sensor is coupled induce a corresponding change in the electrical properties of the conductors, thereby enabling detection of crack growth in the structure.

Abstract: An integral molded part of a plastic material for the analysis and preparation of substances, having at least one surface region and an interior region, wherein said at least one surface region is an open-pore three-dimensional network.

Abstract: The present invention provides a procedure used in the overall treatment of a patient who is identified at birth as having an elevated risk of a previously unidentified disorder and method of using a data system to assist in the procedure. In a preferred embodiment, the procedure involves, at the birth of the patient, making a first time determination that the patient is at an elevated risk of a previously unidentified disorder based on a metric of some type. If it is determined by a medical professional, based upon the metric, that the patient has an elevated risk for a previously unidentified disorder that could benefit from treatment using the patient's own cord blood stem cells, the cord blood stem cells of the patient are collected at birth. After this collection, the collected cord blood stem cells of the patient are available for the subsequent use on the patient at an appropriate time.

Abstract: A TEM sample holder is formed from at least one nano-manipulator probe tip and a TEM sample holder pre-form. The probe tip is permanently attached to the TEM sample-holder pre-form to create a TEM sample holder before attachment of a sample to the probe tip inside a FIB. In the preferred embodiment the probe tip is attached to the TEM sample holder pre-form by applying pressure to the pre-form and the probe tip, so as to cause plastic flow of the pre-form material about the probe tip. The TEM sample holder may have smaller dimensions than the TEM sample holder pre-form; in this case the TEM sample holder is cut from the larger TEM sample holder pre-form, preferably in the same operation as attaching the probe tip.

Abstract: An apparatus for testing flip-chip packages has a programmed computer, a test-engine stage for applying an impact to at least one package under test, and a monitoring stage. The test-engine stage causes an impact on the package on the side opposite its ball-grid array. The test-engine stage has actuators connected to the test-engine stage and the computer, for moving and aligning the test-engine stage. The monitoring stage has a digital camera connected to the computer for transmitting digital images from the ball-grid array side of the package to the computer. A microscope is preferably connected to the digital camera. A sample stage located between the test-engine stage and the monitoring stage holds the package under test. The sample stage has an acoustic transducer capable of being removably connected to the package under test. The acoustic transducer is connected to the computer for transmitting signals from the acoustic transducer to the computer.

Abstract: A router (R) for a distributed routing communications network includes i) a database (BD1-BD3) containing data representing states of links between routers of the network, ii) calculation means (MC) adapted to determine routes from the data and to update distributed routing tables as a function of the determined routes, and iii) management means (MG) adapted, in the event of local reception or transmission of an LSA or a TE-LSA at a time TAL(R), to determine the elapsed time (T_e) from the reception or transmission of the last instance of the LSA or the TE-LSA in order to compare it to a selected threshold and either to await the expiry of a current calculation delay (OPC) in the presence of a TE-LSA or to trigger a stabilization delay of selected duration and the starting time TAL(R) of which serves to resynchronize the expiry time of the current calculation delay to a selected time in the presence of a bursty TE-LSA, so as to instruct the calculation means (MC), after expiry of the calculation delay, to det

Abstract: A tip comprises an elongated, axially symmetric hollow tip body with an outlet opening for dispensing precise amounts of liquid and a receiving opening with a diameter that is greater than the outlet and a tubular inlay which is inserted into the hollow space of the tip body.

Abstract: A method of preparing a sample for examination in a TEM, where the sample is attached to a probe tip point, uses a TEM sample holder form embodied in a TEM sample holder coupon. The probe-tip points and the TEM sample holder coupon are oriented with each other so that the sample is approximately centered in the TEM sample holder form. The probe-tip points are embedded in the TEM sample holder form by means of a press, simultaneously cutting off that portion of every probe-tip point outside the boundary of the TEM sample holder form and cutting the TEM sample holder free from the TEM sample holder coupon. The operation can be formed inside or outside of a focused ion-beam instrument.