31 results about "Naohidea sebacea" patented technology

Systems and methods for dynamically updating ranking of items retrieved in response to a search query are provided. Specifically, systems and methods according to the invention preferably decrease a value associated with a selected item and increase a value of non-selected items that, prior to the selection, had a lesser weight than the selected item. Alternatively, if the list was ranked from higher value to lowest value, than the selected item would be rewarded by an increase in its score and the non-selected items that previously had a higher value would have their respective values decreased. It should be noted than any and all values and weights described herein may be normalized to ensure appropriate results. Alternative embodiments of the invention are directed to methods and systems for classifying groups of items into meta-products and then updating the rankings of the items based at least in part on the meta-product classification.

Contemplated plants thermally integrate operation of a refinery component, and most preferably of a hydrocarbon splitter with LNG regasification to provide refrigeration duty and with a power cycle to provide the reboiler duty of the component. It should be noted that such configurations advantageously allow operation of the splitter at a reduced temperature and at reduced pressure, thereby increasing separation efficiency, while the power output is boosted using air intake chilling. Most notably, such process advantages are achieved by satisfying the heating duty of LNG regasification.

A shared mesh protection scheme defines an associated protection path when a working connection is established. During the protection path definition, the corresponding protection path information is sent down to a switch card of network elements making up the protection path. Upon detection of the failure, the network elements using an overhead byte message will inform the routing source network element of the connection of the failure in the working path. The overhead bytes used are interrupt driven bytes located in the line and path overhead of network traffic. The routing source node of the connection will then send the corresponding overhead byte messages down the protection path to provide for protection path establishment according to the preloaded data located at the switch card. It should be noted that each connection can have a source and termination element which relates to the source from where the corresponding connection was set-up rather than the direction of the payload transmission. Therefore, once the failure has occurred the source elements will send messages using overhead bytes to the corresponding network elements along the protection path. Accordingly, routing tables located at the switch card of the network elements, set-up when the working path connections were initially established, determine this dynamically allocated protection path environment.

An enhanced pumped storage power system. More particularly, the invention is a regenerative power system that utilizes the gravitational forces of downward movement of large quantities of water to convert same to electrical energy. In the preferred mode of implementation, the system utilizes a man-made lake at a first level of elevation. Though higher altitudes can be effective, the lake need only be approximately twenty to thirty feet in elevation. The lake, which may exceed one hundred acres in size, may be elevated above and adjacent a natural body of water, such as seawater at a coastline. As such, sandy terrain associated with the region facilitates initial construction of the system. An underground generator is utilized for the power conversion and pumping of the water back to the upper reservoir during times of low energy demand, allowing for significant noise reduction. Importantly, the system of the present invention may be utilized to provide significant levels of power to serve relatively large geographic areas during times of peak energy demand, when other sources of power are more expensive and subject to power outages. Finally, it should be noted that the components of the system are aesthetically-pleasing in nature, allowing the system to be effectively utilized in a residential area.

Systems and methods for dynamically updating ranking of items retrieved in response to a search query are provided. Specifically, systems and methods according to the invention preferably decrease a value associated with a selected item and increase a value of non-selected items that, prior to the selection, had a lesser weight than the selected item. Alternatively, if the list was ranked from higher value to lowest value, than the selected item would be rewarded by an increase in its score and the non-selected items that previously had a higher value would have their respective values decreased. It should be noted than any and all values and weights described herein may be normalized to ensure appropriate results. Alternative embodiments of the invention are directed to methods and systems for classifying groups of items into meta-products and then updating the rankings of the items based at least in part on the meta-product classification.

An enhanced pumped storage power system. More particularly, the invention is a regenerative power system that utilizes the gravitational forces of downward movement of large quantities of water to convert same to electrical energy. In the preferred mode of implementation, the system utilizes a man-made lake at a first level of elevation. Though higher altitudes can be effective, the lake need only be approximately twenty to thirty feet in elevation. The lake, which may exceed one hundred acres in size, may be elevated above and adjacent a natural body of water, such as seawater at a coastline. As such, sandy terrain associated with the region facilitates initial construction of the system. An underground generator is utilized for the power conversion and pumping of the water back to the upper reservoir during times of low energy demand, allowing for significant noise reduction. Importantly, the system of the present invention may be utilized to provide significant levels of power to serve relatively large geographic areas during times of peak energy demand, when other sources of power are more expensive and subject to power outages. Finally, it should be noted that the components of the system are aesthetically-pleasing in nature, allowing the system to be effectively utilized in a residential area.

The plow includes a vehicle mount for mounting the plow to a host vehicle, and a main blade mounted to the vehicle mount The plow further includes a pair of wing blades pivotally mounted to the main blade for travel in an arcuate path relative to the main blade, and four bar parallel arm linkages and actuators connected between opposing ends of the main blade and each of the wing blades for supporting and swinging the at least one wing blade in said arcuate travel path throughout the full distance between a retracted position in front of the main blade such that at least a substantial portion of the at least one wing blade is disposed in overlapping relation with the main blade, and an extended position in substantial longitudinal alignment with the main blade whereby a plurality of plowing widths is provided. It should be noted that the blade is advantageously used for the plowing of snow, however the plowing of other materials is envisioned such as sand or gravel.

Contemplated plants thermally integrate operation of a refinery component, and most preferably of a hydrocarbon splitter with LNG regasification to provide refrigeration duty and with a power cycle to provide the reboiler duty of the component. It should be noted that such configurations advantageously allow operation of the splitter at a reduced temperature and at reduced pressure, thereby increasing separation efficiency, while the power output is boosted using air intake chilling. Most notably, such process advantages are achieved by satisfying the heating duty of LNG regasification.

A light fixture cover system and method is disclosed in which the selectively detachable cover is also a unitary structure including a body having a peripheral sealing lip that fits over any corresponding industry standard outside light fixture. From the outset, it should be noted that while the cover is illustrated generally as being of a round configuration, the cover may be of various other configurations such as rectangular, oval or square by way of non-limiting examples to fit all shapes of exterior light fixtures. The sealing lip of the cover has at least one laterally extending tab member to assist in removing the cover from the fixture. The cover portion is preferably made from a resilient polymeric material suitable for both winter and summer weather conditions in addition to being impervious to the heat generated by the electrical bulb or bulbs contained it the light fixture. Preferred embodiments of the present cover provide a tight fit between the cover and fixture base, thus precluding entry of insects or water into the interior of the assembly. The cover is devoid of screws, clips, or any other components, and requires no tools or other equipment to install and remove the light cover to and from its corresponding light fixture base.

A method and apparatus has been shown and described which allows Quality of Service to be controlled at a temporal granularity. Time-value curves, generated for each task, ensure that mission resources are utilized in a manner which optimizes mission performance. It should be noted, however, that although the present invention has shown and described the use of time-value curves as applied to mission workflow tasks, the present invention is not limited to this application; rather, it can be readily appreciated by one of skill in the art that time-value curves may be used to optimize the delivery of any resource to any consumer by taking into account the dynamic environment of the consumer and resource

The buoyancy-gravity engine according to the present invention comprises buoyancy gravity rollers (1) which is constructed with specific dimensions and shape so as to perform its function effectively; a buoyancy chamber; a float regulation machine; a gravity machine with at least one wheel (3); a De-Pressure transfer box (9A); an interlinked BG roller (1) transfer mechanism; and a liquid compensator. The BG Roller (1) travels up and down through the buoyancy column and the gravity machine. When the BG roller (1) moves down in the gravity machine at least one wheel (3) of the machine is rotated due to the eccentric weight of the roller (1) in one end of the wheel (3). The roller (1) then slips down from the fingers of the wheel and rolls down to the mouth of the DP transfer box (9A). The roller is then pushed into the buoyancy column, and due to the inherent law of buoyancy, the roller (1) automatically reaches the top of the buoyancy column and again falls into the fingers of the gravity machine. It should be noted that for the entire operation the energy required is very small and almost negligible.

In one embodiment, the Illuminated Shoe incorporates an Illumination Apparatus System. The base comprises a peripheral housing member and a sole. The PCB film upon which a plurality of individual LED lights are affixed and through which a battery is in communication. The PCB can also be used to assemble the LED lights for positioning on the sides of the shoes in a similar fashion as the soles. The peripheral housing member encases the sole. It should be noted that the illuminated shoe can be fabricated in a panoply of different styles such as high-top basketball shoes, or low-rise tennis shoes.

In an AC magnetic tracker one or more multi-axis field sources, each operating at a different frequency, or frequency set, are detected and tracked in three-dimensional space, even when wireless or otherwise not physically connected to the tracking system. Multiple sources can be tracked simultaneously as they each operate with their own unique detectable set of parameters. The invention not only provides the ability to uniquely identify one or more sources by their frequencies, but also to synchronize with these frequencies in order to measure signals that then allow tracking the position and orientation (P&O) of the source(s). Further, these sources need not be present at the time of system start-up but can come and go while being detected, discriminated and tracked. It also should be noted that application of such systems in multiples with more sensors not synchronized to a source or sources also could be employed to give the reverse appearance of a known source phase and incoherency with the sensors.

In an AC magnetic tracker one or more multi-axis field sources, each operating at a different frequency, or frequency set, are detected and tracked in three-dimensional space, even when wireless or otherwise not physically connected to the tracking system. Multiple sources can be tracked simultaneously as they each operate with their own unique detectable set of parameters. The invention not only provides the ability to uniquely identify one or more sources by their frequencies, but also to synchronize with these frequencies in order to measure signals that then allow tracking the position and orientation (P&O) of the source(s). Further, these sources need not be present at the time of system start-up but can come and go while being detected, discriminated and tracked. It also should be noted that application of such systems in multiples with more sensors not synchronized to a source or sources also could be employed to give the reverse appearance of a known source phase and incoherency with the sensors.

Solid, free-flowing, and substantially completely dissolvable preparations with high betalain content are presented. Most typically, the betalain profile of the preparations is near natural and includes betalains in an amount of between 10-40 wt %. As the preparations of the inventive subject matter maintain chemical stability and flowability over extended periods of time, it should be noted that the betalain preparations are now amenable to compounding in small and measured quantities. Furthermore, new biological activities of betalains are shown, and especially include significant induction of SIRT and reduction of serum triglyceride.

The invention relates to a method of estimating an intersection between at least two continuous signal representations (SR1, SR2) in a pulse width modulator, at least one of said continuous signal representations (SR1, SR2) being non-linear, said method comprising the step of providing an intersection estimate (CPE) between said at least two continuous signal representations on the basis of at least one iteration comprising at least one iterative call of a function describing said continuous signal representations (SR1, SR2) being non-linear and whereby said estimating of intersections are performed in a pulse width modulation modulator. According to an embodiment of the invention, a simple iterative call of the established continuous signal representation, e.g. an interpolation polynomial, will provide the desired intersection. It should be noted that the established estimate might be provided without any complicated root solving and avoiding division and even square root.

The invention relates to a method of estimating an intersection between at least two continuous signal representations in a pulse width modulator, at least one of the continuous signal representations being non-linear, the method comprising the step of providing an intersection estimate between the at least two continuous signal representations by means of at least one equation representing an expansion of at least one iteration comprising at least one iterative call of a function describing the continuous signal representation being non-linear and whereby the estimating of intersections are performed in a pulse width modulation modulator. According to an embodiment of the invention, a simple iterative call of the established continuous signal representation, e.g. an interpolation polynomial, will provide the desired intersection. It should be noted that the established estimate might be provided without any complicated root solving and avoiding division and even square root.

The invention relates to a method of estimating an intersection between at least two continuous signal representations (SR1, SR2) in a pulse width modulator, at least one of said continuous signal representations (SR1, SR2) being non-linear, said method comprising the step of providing an intersection estimate (CPE) between said at least two continuous signal representations on the basis of at least one iteration comprising at least one iterative call of a function describing said continuous signal representations (SR1, SR2) being non-linear and whereby said estimating of intersections are performed in a pulse width modulation modulator. According to an embodiment of the invention, a simple iterative call of the established continuous signal representation, e.g. an interpolation polynomial, will provide the desired intersection. It should be noted that the established estimate might be provided without any complicated root solving and avoiding division and even square root.

A perforating gun assembly for a monobore application eliminates a full bore isolation valve or other component that has a limiting internal or external dimension and is designed to remain in position after firing. The assembly is run into the hole on a string with a running tool and left in position with the string and the running tool removed. Pressure pulses communicate with a detonation control system to open a poppet to pressurize a chamber with a firing head. It should be noted that other types firing heads can also be utilized to initiate detonation in the system. Detonation clears the gun internals for flow and opens a gun valve that has no reduction in drift dimension as compared to the gun internal path after detonation. Production takes place through and around the gun. The top of the gun can be entered for future intervention work

Contemplated methods and devices for coagulation control allow to establish a more constant dosage of required medication and to quantify / take into account patient-specific sensitivity to warfarin and Vitamin K by using logit (1 / INR) as the dependent variable to so stabilize the variance across all values of INR. Moreover, it should be noted that such use simplifies the relation between INR and dose of coumarins or Vitamin K and reduces the number of parameters to be estimated for each patient.

The preferred field of application of the present invention concerns the technology for the stabilization of the orientation of a pointing platform in small satellites as, for example, the so-called nano-satellites. In fact, the use of nano-satellites for low-cost space applications, requires that they have performances suitable to support a large number of possible new applications, in particular it is required that they can ensure adequate telecommunications capacity even with scarce power resources. Therefore, the availability of very precise pointing systems is essential in order to make communications as efficient as possible. Moreover, it should be noted that the nano-satellite platforms are also very unstable, and therefore such pointing, when acquired, must be continuously stabilized. Finally, the pointing and stabilization mechanisms must be light and compact in order to meet other typical constraints (weight and size, precisely) of space applications, but which may also be present in other areas of application. The mechanism specified in the present invention provides an adjustable support platform constrained to the satellite platform (or in general to an unstable platform) in one of its points by means of a joint with two or three degrees of freedom. The orientation and the stabilization of such orientable platform are then controlled by other constraints which consist in extensible legs with a controllable length. The mechanism, as a whole, provides a satisfactory solution to the problem of the stabilized pointing and allows, at the same time, to significantly reduce the weight and the overall dimensions.

The shooting gloves of this invention improves the shooter's ability to maintain the proper grip and hand orientation on a handgun. The shooting gloves have select areas on the outside of the glove covered by a viscid coating or sections of material that provide a tacky surface texture to the gloves. The viscid areas are strategically located on the gloves so that the viscid areas of the opposite glove contact each other when the shooter takes a conventional two handed grip of a handgun. The contacting viscid areas provide enhanced tactile feel and increased mechanical friction between the gloves that helps the shooter maintain the proper grip and hand position as the handgun is discharged. It should be noted that the viscid areas are located on the gloves not so as to directly contact the handgun, but are located on the gloves to directly contact corresponding or mating viscid areas of the other glove. The viscid areas of both right and left handed gloves are symmetrical, which allows the pair to be used by either right or left handed shooters.

The invention proposes an apparatus for vocal communication over computer networks comprising a speaker, a microphone, and network connection. It should be noted that the apparatus has a USB connector, an audio connector, as well as a microphone connector, and its connection to the computer is not through a single USB connector, so as to allow the apparatus to achieve vocal communication without the need for an integrated audio circuit or chip.

The invention provides a microinjection apparatus for a fluid. The microinjection apparatus comprises a substrate, a manifold, at least one fluid chamber, and at least one thermal sensing film. The manifold is formed on the substrate for containing the fluid therein. The at least one fluid chamber is also formed on the substrate and in communication with the manifold. Furthermore, the fluid chamber has a respective orifice and a respective heater disposed adjacent to the orifice. In addition, the thermal sensing film corresponds to the fluid chamber and is formed on a surface adjacent to the orifice. It should be noticed that the thermal sensing film has a respective color changeable in response to a heat generated during operation of the corresponding heater.

A system and method for determining, during a pre-rotation period, a proper transfer bias for colors, e.g. YMCK. These proper transfer bias voltages are applied to a primary transfer roller, which enables proper transfer of color images from a photoconductive drum. Four exposure bias voltages for each of YMCK are determined. The first exposure bias voltage for Y is applied to the photoconductive drum, while three predetermined voltages are applied to a primary transfer roller in order to obtain corresponding currents and a voltage / current relationship thereof, from which a proper transfer bias voltage for Y is determined. For all subsequent colors, a proper transfer bias voltage for each subsequent color is determined by employing the Y exposure bias voltage and the exposure bias voltage for each the subsequent colors, MCK. In an exemplary embodiment, it is noted that the proper transfer voltages are obtained during pre-rotation in which the primary transfer roller rotates no more than three times.

In order to desirably prevent leakage of a working fluid from the tip clearance to reduce loss of a heat drop of the working fluid, a first corresponding blade of a second stationary blade row, which corresponds to a first reference blade of a first stationary blade row, is disposed in a position distant by 2L from the position of a lower end of a rotor blade in the direction of movement of the rotor blades when the rotor blade makes the closest approach to a lower end of the first reference blade. It should be noted that L is a value obtained by multiplying the average time T required for the high-pressure working fluid to pass through the rotor blade by the traveling speed U of the rotor blade. On the other hand, a second corresponding blade of the second stationary blade row, which corresponds to a second reference blade of the first stationary blade row, is disposed in a position of a lower end of a rotor blade when the rotor blade makes the closest approach to a lower end of the first reference blade.

A toothed belt has therein a core wire (3) including a core thread (1) made of aramid fiber and a filament thread (2) made of nylon fiber, and has belt tooth portions (4) and belt groove portions (5) alternately formed therealong. The core wire (3), the belt tooth portions (4), and the belt groove portions (5) are integrated with one another by a rubber material (7). It should be noted herein that the core thread (1) and the filament thread (2) are integrally twined around each other so that the filament thread (2) is formed in the shape of a plurality of loops around the core thread (1). The filament thread (2) in the shape of the loops enters tooth root portions (9) of the belt tooth portions (4) to be arranged therein. As a result, the tooth root portions (9) are strengthened.

On the other hand, the possibility of estimating the dopant ratio of a metal element to each ceria crystalline particle using integral-width or half-width obtained by XRD was considered as follows: an XRD peak is shifted depending on the dopant ratio of La to ceria; when La increases, an XRD peak is shifted to a lower angle; in XRD performed on a raw material obtained by mixing ceria crystalline particles having different dopant ratio, peaks corresponding to the respective dopant ratio exist close to each other; as a result, a peak width is widened; accordingly, the dopant ratio of a metal element to each ceria crystalline particles are supposed to vary when integral-width and half-width obtained by XRD are large. Thus, it was revealed for the first time that integral-width and half-width obtained by XRD indicate variations in dopant ratio. It should be noted that from the direct proportional relationship between the dopant ratio x and the integral-width for dopant ratio ranging from 0.35 to 0.45, integral-widths obtained by XRD are derived to be 0.10 to 0.30 for dopant ratio ranging from 0.35 to 0.45, and half-widths are derived to be 0.10 to 0.30 similarly.

On the other hand, the possibility of estimating the dopant ratio of a metal element to each ceria crystalline particle using integral-width or half-width obtained by XRD was considered as follows: an XRD peak is shifted depending on the dopant ratio of La to ceria; when La increases, an XRD peak is shifted to a lower angle; in XRD performed on a raw material obtained by mixing ceria crystalline particles having different dopant ratio, peaks corresponding to the respective dopant ratio exist close to each other; as a result, a peak width is widened; accordingly, the dopant ratio of a metal element to each ceria crystalline particles are supposed to vary when integral-width and half-width obtained by XRD are large. Thus, it was revealed for the first time that integral-width and half-width obtained by XRD indicate variations in dopant ratio. It should be noted that from the direct proportional relationship between the dopant ratio x and the integral-width for dopant ratio ranging from 0.35 to 0.45, integral-widths obtained by XRD are derived to be 0.10 to 0.30 for dopant ratio ranging from 0.35 to 0.45, and half-widths are derived to be 0.10 to 0.30 similarly.