Abstract: A system and method of monitoring and testing the integrity of a dedicated pair of optical fibers extending between a telecommunications provider to a customer facility through the optical fiber network, of the telecommunications provider. The system contains an optical transmission module, a monitoring module, and a first wavelength division multiplexing module which are located at the telecommunication provider's facility. A second wavelength division multiplexer module is located at or just prior to the customer's facility. The optical transmission module introduces test signals into the first dedicated optical fiber and which travels to the customer facility through the optical fiber network. At the customer facility, the test signal is looped into the second dedicated optical fiber. The test signal then returns to the telecommunications provider's facility, wherein the test signal is received and processed.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for separating magnetic particles in suspension in a liquid contained in a reaction vessel of the type used in an automatic apparatus for processing biological samples. The apparatus comprises a rotatable carrier holding an array of magnet elements positioned on the carrier at different distances from the rotation axis of the carrier and at different azimuth angles. The carrier and the array of magnet elements can be positioned at a plurality of predetermined angular positions and heights.

Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus for dripping fluid to attract birds. The invention comprises a reservoir having an orifice and a tube extending therefrom. A valve is attached to the tube. The reservoir is filled with fluid which in turns passes through the orifice and tube, while the valve regulates the flow rate of the fluid through the tube. The invention has a receptacle beneath the tube to collect the fluid and a hanging mechanism for hanging the invention at the desired location.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for chromatography are described, wherein at least one element in electrically conductive material is provided to heat the capillary column in a direct way and wherein the control of the temperature is carried out according to a mathematical model having a component of predictive type, or Feed Forward type, that describes the thermodynamic behavior of the assembly comprising the electrically conductive element and the column at least as a function of the thermal resistance and the thermal capacity of the assembly thus constituted in order to regulate the supply of electrical power supplied to the conductive element.

Abstract: The present invention is a planar spiral inductor a top magnetic layer a bottom magnetic layer; and a plurality of conductive coils disposed between said top magnetic layer and said bottom magnetic layer. A significant difference from prior art is that the top and bottom magnetic layers have their centers effectively cut out using lithographic techniques or other techniques to frame the core of the conductive spirals. An advantage of this structure over the prior art is that when magnetic anisotropies other than shape are kept small, then the magnetic configuration will produce a magnetostatic shape anisotropy such that the easy axis (low energy direction of magnetization) lies parallel to the legs of a rectangular frame or the circumference of a circular frame, as will be described.

Abstract: A coin mechanism for use with a vending machine where there is a coin barrel that receives the particular coins inserted vertically downwardly by the customer into a coin receiver. The coin barrel has an outer position where the coins can be inserted into the coin receiver and an inner position where the coins are checked by a coin discriminating mechanism, and, if proper, will allow the coin barrel to be rotated further by the customer to activate the vending machine to release the particular selected product. In the even the customer has made a mistake or has had a change of mind, the coin barrel is also allowed to be rotated by the customer, when in its outer position, to a position where the coin receiver is facing substantially downwardly so that the coins can be readily retrieved by the customer and are allowed to fall downwardly by the force of gravity.

Abstract: An intermixing data and voice device and method that includes a screen phone. The screen phone has a screen display, a microphone, a speaker, a muter, a detector, a generator, a sender and a receiver. The detector is configured and arranged to detect a CAS tone and the generator generates an acknowledgement message in response to detection of the CAS tone in the case of the screen phone of the consumer. The detector detects the acknowledgement messages and the generator generates queries for graphics and textual support in the case of the screen phone of the business. The muter mutes the microphone and the speaker in accordance with instructions from a controller. In the case of the screen phone of the consumer, muting may arise in response to detection of the CAS tone. In the case of the screen phone of the business, muting may arise in response to answering a phone call.

Abstract: A method for securing passwords, personal identification numbers and identifying patterns utilizes a MasterCode camouflaged within a grid which contains all the characters, symbols or pictograms of which the MasterCode is a subset. For securing numeric sequences, the MasterCode is comprised of ten characters randomly associated to a corresponding digit (including zero). The characters thereby associated with each numeric password are expanded into an ordinary, natural language word, a SecureWord using non-associated letters. The MasterCode is masked by its unique placement in a MasterGrid known only to the user. For securing passwords comprised of alpha numeric symbolic characters, each unique character, the MasterCode, is assigned a sequential number which becomes a sequence of positions in the MasterGrid with each MasterCode character placed in the appropriate position and the remainder of the character set filled in. SecureNumbers are the positions in the MasterGrid of each character in a password.

Abstract: A stand for displaying a decorative wreath, comprising (a) a substantially rectangular base; (b) two substantially vertical wreath support arms, each having a support attachment arm attached to the back edge of the base, a support extension that is continuous with the support attachment arm and extends therefrom in an upward direction, and a wreath attachment arm that is continuous with the support extension; (c) a substantially rectangular stabilizing frame arrayed above the base by a distance sufficient to stabilize the stand when the wreath is displayed in the substantially vertical display alignment in conjunction therewith; (d) a plurality of stabilizing rods extending between the base and the stabilizing frame and connecting the frame to the base; and (e) a wreath stabilizing brace securably attached to the stabilizing frame and comprising (i) a brace attachment bar securably attached to the front edge of the frame and extending therefrom to the back edge thereof, (ii) a brace attachment arm that is con

Abstract: Use of proanthocyanidins as an active ingredient of a stimulator as a source of arginine and a source of nitric oxide in the treatment of erectile dysfunction. The active ingredient stimulates the endothelial NO-synthase enzyme, which acts as a catalyst for the synthesis of nitric oxide from its substrate L-arginine or its salts. The nitric oxide in turn activates theguanylyl cyclase, which leads to an increased development of cyclic guanosine monophosphate, which causes relaxation of smooth muscles. Blood vessel diameter may increase. The stimulator may also have Sildenafil or enzymes that inhibit an enzyme phosphodiesterase type5 from reducing an amount of the cyclic guanosine monophosphate. The substrate may be amino acid L-arginine, arginine salts or a dipeptide of arginine and aspartic acid.

Abstract: A rhythmic motion driver having a case containing flywheels. A spring is within the case that compresses and expands in response to oscillatory motion of a bar that extends through an opening in the case. The spring compression and expansion is slowed but not dampened by the movement of the flywheels.

Abstract: A software system provides security against unauthorized operations initiated by software code supplied by an untrusted source. The allowed operations that are associated with the software code are determined. A thinned interface is generated which permits the software code to successfully call only the allowed operations. The software code is independent of a security environment of the system. The thinned interface operates in at least one version of the security environment. The software code and the thinned interface are activated within the system.

Abstract: A nutritional intervention composition is provided for enhancing the efficacy of an orally administered lipase inhibitor comprising a protein component of at least a glycomacropeptide or caseinmacropeptide, at least one C12-18 fatty acid comprising at least oleic acid and a fiber preferably comprising both soluble and insoluble fibers. The composition is administered concurrently with the lipase inhibitor to negate the action of the latter in inhibiting the release of cholecystokinin (CCK) which, in turn, reduces the feeling of satiety and stimulates appetite. These effects are all countered by the subject compositions which stimulate release of CCK and increase the level of bile in the intestine. These effects achieved by the subject nutritional intervention compositions, while not directly increasing the effectiveness of the lipase inhibitor, nonetheless enhance its efficacy.

Abstract: A system and method for determining the detachment of an embolic material using a single power supply are disclosed, wherein the determination is made by applying a DC power to an assembly with an embolic material, a sacrificial link and a guiding wire which are serially connected and repeatedly measuring a voltage and current between the assembly and the ground for a plurality of cycles and a plurality of times in each cycle; computing an average of the measured voltages and an average of measured currents; and determining the detachment of the embolic material from the guiding wire based on a change in impedance between the guiding wire and the ground, wherein the change is detected using the present average of the measured voltages, the present average of the measured currents and a previous average voltage which is previously measured for a plurality of times.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods and apparatus for wireless multi-site networking using signaling and voice over Internet protocol. The apparatus includes a wireless portable terminal, a controller for controlling communications equipment, wireless base stations, a computer network, and signaling devices. The wireless portable terminal is registered to a home controller when within a home coverage area, and the wireless portable terminal is registered with a remote controller when within a remote coverage area, thereby allowing the wireless portable terminal to roam from the home location to the remote location using a home wireless base station and remote wireless base stations, respectively, with the ability to make and receive calls via its home directory number.

Abstract: The location and type of equipment shelf installed in an optical fiber distribution frame is detected and transmitted to a software management system automatically. A plurality of photo transceivers, arrayed on the frame, detects encoded indicia on each shelf. The coded information is inventoried into a database and displayed in a virtual graphical representation of the frame.

Abstract: The automatic analyzer for the assay of liquid samples comprises an exchangeable mixing chamber whose mixing chamber is tapered toward the bottom and is provided with an outlet which is followed by a bore which connects the mixing chamber to an outlet opening. An abrupt transition is formed between said bore and the outlet opening for the analyzed liquid. The abrupt transition is a restriction which serves as a collecting trap for disturbing particles, e.g. coaguli, which might lead to undesirable obstructions elsewhere. Those particles which cannot be flushed away laterally by another outlet opening are eliminated by removing the mixing chamber from the base and blowing it through. A sealing ring serves for a tight seal between the plane bottom of the mixing chamber and the connection. A fluid sensor is provided in order to detect the sample liquid flowing through this connection.