Abstract: A system for instantaneously heating water has a heat exchanger for heating cold water to produce overheated water; a hot water supply member connected to a first intake of the heat exchanger; a cold water supply member connected to a second intake of the heat exchanger; and a blending valve having two intakes and an outtake. A hot water outlet member is connected to an outtake of the heat exchanger and to the intake of the blending valve. The cold water supply member is also connected to the blending valve. The blending valve has a chamber for blending the cold water with the overheated water from the heat exchanger to produce blended hot water at a predetermined temperature.

Abstract: An automated intelligent computer system for analyzing motor or locomotor behavior and method of use is provided. The system comprises an automatic, objective, fast and consistent assessment of the level of injury and course of recovery in animal models of spinal cord injury and other gait and motor coordination disorders. The system also is useful for analyzing other types of motor or neurologic dysfunction.

Abstract: The invention discloses an antenna system, which includes an array structure provided with a plurality of radiator elements being adapted to transmit and receive radiated electromagnetic waves. Each of the radiator elements are provided with at least two transverse interconnecting slots forming an aperture. An array feed network is operatively associated with each radiator element and is adapted to transmit a signal to and receive a signal from each radiator element and is further adapted to provide at least one common feed point for the array structure. A phase shifting unit operatively joins each radiator element to its associated feed point, the phase shifting unit being adapted to selectively adjust a phase of the electromagnetic waves associated with each radiator element. Operation of each phase shifting unit is regulated by control means for controlling the generation of a radiation pattern.

Abstract: In a network router, a tree structure or a sorting network is used to compare scheduling values and select a packet to be forwarded from an appropriate queue. In the tree structure, each leaf represents the scheduling value of a queue and internal nodes of the structure represent winners in comparisons of scheduling values of sibling nodes of the tree structure. CBR scheduling values may first be compared to select a queue and, if transmission from a CBR queue is not timely, a packet may be selected using WFQ scheduling values. The scheduling values are updated to reflect variable packet lengths and byte stuffing in the prior packet. Scheduling may be performed in multiple stages.

Abstract: Embodiments may provide a telephone and a computing device coupled to the telephone, the computing device to establish a telephone call with the telephone using a signaling protocol other than a Session Initiation Protocol.

Abstract: Integration of high performance copper inductors are provided wherein a tall, Cu laminate spiral inductor is formed at the last metal level, and at the last metal+1 level, with the metal levels being interconnected by a bar via having the same spiral shape as the spiral metal inductors at the last metal level and the last metal+1 level. The invention provides methods for integrating the formation of thick inductors with the formation of bond pads, terminals and interconnect wiring with the last metal+1 wiring. The subject invention uses dielectric deposition, spacer formation, and/or selective deposition of a passivating metal such as CoWP, to passivate a Cu inductor that is formed after the last metal layer.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and apparatus for sequencing, fingerprinting and mapping biological macromolecules, typically biological polymers. The methods make use of a plurality of sequence specific recognition reagents which can also be used for classification of biological samples, and to characterize their sources.

Abstract: A bus assembly for switchgear includes a pair of elongated members each of an L-shaped cross section with a lateral side and a transverse side integral with the lateral side. The elongated members are positioned in a juxtaposed spaced apart relationship forming a hollow rectangular tube wherein the lateral sides are generally parallel to each other and the transverse sides are generally parallel to each other. Support members connected to the lateral sides may be U-shaped components engaging lateral exterior sides of the elongated members and may be connected to an element having flange which extends from the bases of the U-shaped components for connection to a horizontal bus bar. A connecting device may be provided with separated extending legs adapted for attachment to components of a laminated horizontal bus member.

Abstract: An improved process for synthesizing 4-amino-1,2,4-triazole. Hydrazine hydrate solution is mixed into ethyl formate, ethanol, and an acidic ion exchange resin in a condenser. The solution is held at 75 degrees Celsius until no more liquid exits the condenser. The solution is then heated to between 130 and 133 degrees Celsius and kept at this temperature long enough to remove water and ethanol and to complete the synthesis. The solution is then cooled to 60 degrees Celsius and filtered to remove the ion-exchange resin. The filtered liquid is then cooled to ambient temperature.

Abstract: A collapsible signaling device bearing a pair of opposed message panels is convertible between a display configuration and a compact linear storage configuration. The message panels are joined together at spaced apart points along their periphery using spacers to form a pocket having an internal cavity. A mast is insertable within the pocket and is joined to the panel members at its upper end. A pair of struts of spring material are joined at one end to the upper end of the mast and are joined at their lower ends to a slider member which is slidably movable with respect to the mast. As the slider member is advanced toward the upper end of the mast, the struts are outwardly bowed imparting outwardly directed tension to the periphery of the message panels.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for protecting individual privacy (e.g., patient privacy) when individual data records (e.g., patient data records) are shared between various entities (e.g., healthcare entities). In one aspect, systems and methods are provided which implement secured key encryption for de-identifying patient data to ensure patient privacy, while allowing only the owners of the patient data and/or legally empowered entities to re-identify subject patients associated with de-identified patient data records, when needed.

Abstract: A base-facilitated reaction for the production of hydrogen from biomass or component(s) thereof. Hydrogen is produced from a reaction of naturally occurring organic matter with a base to form a bicarbonate or carbonate compound as a by-product. The base-facilitated hydrogen-producing reactions are thermodynamically more spontaneous than conventional-type reformation reactions and are able to produce hydrogen gas at less extreme reaction conditions than conventional-type reformation reactions. The preferred reactants are biomass, components of biomass, and mixtures of components of biomass. Especially preferred are base-facilitated reactions in which hydrogen is produced from carbohydrates or mixtures of carbohydrates, include monosaccharides, disaccharides, polysaccharides, and cellulose. The instant reactions can occur in the liquid phase or solid.

Abstract: An automatic rotisserie, monitor, control device and method are described which are able to cook a food item of any weight to an exact degree of doneness by either alerting a user to provide a substantially ambient temperature environment to a food item having been heated to a primary referenced internal temperature prior to final doneness; or by automatically and rapidly providing a reduced temperature environment in response to the food item's internal temperature then alerting the user to the conclusion of an adiabatic cycle as recognized by the monitor and control device.

Abstract: A graphics driver and method is provided that facilitates graphics rendering time partitioning to provide improved resource allocation between multiple windows and/or multiple graphics clients. The graphics driver receives high level graphics data from multiple graphics clients and outputs a time-partitioned chain of graphics primitives to the graphics processor. The graphics driver includes a partitioning controller, a graphics translator, and a chain builder. The partitioning controller allocates processing time among the multiple graphics clients, with each of the multiple graphics clients being allocated a periodic budget. The graphics translator translates high level graphics commands received from the graphics clients into graphics primitives that can be processed by the graphics processor. The chain builder creates chains of the graphics primitives that are configured to give each graphics client its associated periodic budget in the graphics processor.

Abstract: A lithium battery includes a cathode including lithiated gamma-manganese dioxide. The battery can have high current capability and discharge capacity greater than a lithium-manganese dioxide battery including heat treated manganese dioxide.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are provided for the manufacture of coextruded polymeric multilayer optical films. The multilayer optical films have an ordered arrangement of layers of two or more materials having particular layer thicknesses and a prescribed layer thickness gradient throughout the multilayer optical stack. The methods and apparatuses described allow improved control over individual layer thicknesses, layer thickness gradients, indices of refraction, interlayer adhesion, and surface characteristics of the optical films. The methods and apparatuses described are useful for making interference polarizers, mirrors, and colored films that are optically effective over diverse portions of the ultraviolet, visible, and infrared spectra.

Abstract: A workholding apparatus including a body and a drive member carried by the body, so that the drive member and body partially define a fluid chamber therebetween for containing a fluid. The drive member includes an annular flange that axially abuts and that attaches to the body to resist torsional twisting of the drive member relative to the body. A driven member is also carried by the body and includes multiple displacement reliefs therein. Interengagement features are provided between the driven member and other components of the workholding apparatus, such as the drive member, to resist torsional twisting of the driven member.

Abstract: A peer to peer discovery mechanism based on the ubiquitous TCP/IP and UDP/IP standards requires no global network configuration to allow the addition and removal of peers from the network. The resulting network architecture is scalable to a large number of processors and together with an automated Peer Voting mechanism which elects a “Prime” Peer at runtime provides a platform for use with distributed computing applications.

Abstract: An adjustable measuring scoop including a movable partition that adjustably rotates on a rotating means such as an axle so as to result in a scoop size that can be selectively determined between a maximum and a minimum by ready manual manipulation of the scoop. The movable partition and rotating means are preferably configured so that the movable partition moves toward and away from the scoop's opening, permitting, e.g., a symmetric frontal contour that may be more effective in scooping from a container. Adjustment of the movable partition may also optionally be effected by means including a manual slide that has a linear and/or relatively short range of motion.

Abstract: A retainer wall system comprised of interlocking wall segments for use as a retainer wall. Each wall segment is resiliently flexible to allow the retainer wall to follow a curvilinear/curved profile. In a preferred embodiment the wall segments comprise a plurality of substantially vertical elongate cylindrical members configured to resemble wooden logs, arranged in parallel in substantially mutually adjacent position. Each of the logs are coupled to an adjacent log by a resiliently flexible web member so as to permit flexible bending of each of each of the wall segments about a vertical axis therethrough. One or more of the logs making up each wall segment possess a longitudinal bore extending substantially along a vertical longitudinal axis of such log, so as to permit a pin member to be inserted therethough and into the ground so as to retain the wall segments in a desired conformed position.