Abstract: An oscillator having: a transistor; a resonant circuit coupled between an output electrode of the transistor and a control electrode of the transistor; and a dc bias circuit for the transistor. The dc bias circuit comprises: a voltage producing circuit and a differential amplifier. The differential amplifier includes: a first input coupled to a fixed reference voltage; a second input coupled to the voltage producing circuit, such voltage producing circuit producing a voltage at the second input of the difference amplifier related to current passing through the output electrode of the transistor; and an output coupled to the control electrode of the transistor.

Abstract: A system and method for processing data includes organizing medical information in a concept frame data structure, which is adapted to include medical measurements and related metadata. The medical information is analyzed to extract further information using information extractors and to store extracted medical information in the concept frame data structure. References are stored to appropriate visualization methods along with an associated concept in the concept frame data structure.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide analyte sensors having optimized elements and/or configurations of elements as well as methods for making and using such sensors. Typical embodiments of the invention include glucose sensors used in the management of diabetes.

Abstract: Techniques for presenting at least one 3D image to at least one user through a communications network are provided. A 3D image is obtained. The 3D image is converted into two or more 2D images. The two or more 2D images are stored in a data repository. At least a portion of the two or more stored 2D images is presented to the at least one user. The portion of the two or more stored 2D images is accessible by the at least one user via a browser program.

Abstract: Fluid leaks can be detected and controlled in a pressurized piping system. Apparatus for this includes control logic; in communication with the logic, a flow detector and/or a pressure detector, and a control valve. One or more of the following is or are provided also: the flow and pressure detectors are both present, and both as single units; the control logic, the flow and/or pressure detector(s) and the control valve are in close proximity to one another; and the control valve has a baseline condition of being shut off. A remote control device can remotely interact with the control logic. Pressure decay and/or flow properties can be employed. The fluid can be water as, for example, in a residential, commercial or institutional system.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide analyte sensors having nanostructured electrodes as well as methods for making and using such sensors. In certain embodiments of the invention, the sensor includes a carbon nanotube electrode and a analyte limiting membrane that modulates the ability of a analyte to contact the carbon nanotube electrode.

Abstract: A tinted color value is produced for a surface of an object in a computer generated scene. The surface is illuminated by a light source having a lighting color value associated with the light source. A first reflected color value is calculated for the surface. The first reflected color value is calculated based on an assumption that the surface is illuminated by white light rather than the lighting color value associated with the light source. A desaturated color value is computed using the first reflected color value. A tinted color value is computed by combining the desaturated color value with the lighting color value associated with the light source. The tinted color value is stored.

Abstract: A container for dispensing material from a roll is described.

Abstract: A powered panel moving system includes a motor, electronic drive circuitry, mechanics, a coupler, and electronic anti-entrapment circuitry. The drive circuitry drives a rotor of the motor such that the rotor has a rotational output in response to being driven. The mechanics moves a panel upon being driven. The coupler couples the rotational output of the rotor to the mechanics in order drive the mechanics for the mechanics to move the panel. The anti-entrapment circuitry controls the drive circuitry to prevent the panel from entrapping an object. The drive circuitry drives the motor based on measurements indicative of at least one of motor current, motor speed, and panel position. The drive circuitry and the anti-entrapment circuitry are integrated with one another such that the anti-entrapment circuitry controls the drive circuitry based on the same measurements.

Abstract: A coin processing system includes a coin input area for receiving coins from a user, and a coin processing module for receiving and counting the coins from the coin input area. The coin processing module includes a coin hopper, a coin processing area, and a foreign object removal system. The coin hopper receives the coins from the coin input area. The coin processing area receives and counts the coins from the coin hopper. The foreign object removal system is located at least partially within the coin hopper, and removes a foreign object from the coin hopper subsequent to receiving the foreign object from the coin input area.

Abstract: According to an embodiment of the invention, a method of determining hydration of a sensor having a plurality of electrodes is disclosed. In particular embodiments, the method couples a sensor electronics device to the sensor and measures the open circuit potential between at least two of the plurality of electrodes. Then, the open circuit potential measurement is compared to a predetermined value. In some embodiments, the plurality of electrodes includes a working electrode, a reference electrode, and a counter electrode. In still further embodiments, the open circuit potential between the working electrode and the reference electrode is measured. In other embodiments, the open circuit potential between the working electrode and the counter electrode is measured. In still other embodiments, the open circuit potential between the counter electrode and the reference electrode is measured.

Abstract: The composition to preserve food is a mixture of colloidal minerals, including colloidal silver, colloidal gold and colloidal titanium. The composition of ultramicroscopic particles is suspended in water, forming a solution. The solution is used for preserving perishable foods, such as fruits and vegetables, by submerging each food item in the liquid for various lengths of time. The solution may also be used for disinfecting tissues and various objects, as well as for other antimicrobial uses.

Abstract: Insulating members are provided for use in nozzles of elevated temperature process vessels employing a structural metal shell (24), an insulating refractory lining (14) and a corrosion-resistant membrane (18) lining between the structural shell and refractory lining. The insulating members comprise pre-formed insulating sleeves and inserts and are made of a thermally insulating material having sufficient thickness and sufficiently low thermal conductivity such that, when the sleeve or insert is heated by the process temperature during operation of the vessel, the thermal energy transmitted through the sleeve or insert to the membrane is insufficient to raise the temperature of the membrane above a target temperature. The most preferred thermally insulating materials are fluoropolymers such as poly(tetrafluoroethylene) flouropolymer resins.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided wherein call-blocking probability of a telecommunications system is calculated based on consideration of over flow paths and alternate routes. Once the routes and overflow pathways are identified, the total number of call attempts and calls failed, due to congestion, is determined from statistical route data. Dividing the number of failed calls due to congestion by the number of attempted calls results in the blocking proportion for each route that is used by the methods disclosed herein to calculate the probability of blocking for that route.

Abstract: A snap-lock bushing is provided for use with prepacked screens for monitoring wells. The bushing has an inner bore for sliding over a tubular well casing member and a raised lip protruding from the inner bore for engaging corresponding grooves at each end of the well casing member. The raised lip includes a plurality of lip segments with gaps or slots formed between the lip segments, which allow the raised lip to flex outward during assembly. A prepacked screen is assembled using a snap-lock bushing at each end of the well casing member. A mesh screen is placed in a concentric relationship around the well casing member with the ends of the mesh screen secured over the outer cylindrical surfaces of the bushings. A filter pack of granular material is placed in the concentric space between the well casing member and the screen member during assembly.

Abstract: A powered panel moving system includes a motor, electronic drive circuitry, a mechanism, a coupler, and electronic function circuitry. The drive circuitry drives a rotor of the motor. The coupler couples rotational output of the rotor to the mechanism to drive the mechanism in order to move the panel. The function circuitry is integrated with the drive circuitry for providing additional functionality beyond driving the motor for panel movement. The drive circuitry includes a current sensor for determining rotor position based on motor current, a back emf sensor for determining rotor position based on back emf of the motor, and an impedance sensor for determining rotor position based on motor impedance. The function circuitry may include an analyzer to determine presence of an obstruction to the motion of the panel based on at least one of the rotor position, the motor current, and the back emf of the motor.