Abstract: A support post for a safety fence assembly. The post includes an outer tube having a floor engaging end for engagement with a floor, an inner tube adapted for sliding telescoping engagement with the outer tube, and a ceiling engaging end for engagement with a ceiling coupled to the inner tube. The post also includes a locking lever assembly with a collar element positioned on the inner tube, and a lever pivotable about a pivot pin for moving the collar element to a tilted configuration in which the collar element is tilted relative to the inner tube for engagement of the collar element with the inner tube. The lever is movable between a release position, in which the collar element is slidably movable longitudinally along the inner tube, and a lock position, in which the collar element is tilted relative to the inner tube and engaged therewith.

Abstract: An optical modulator has an optical splitter for splitting an input light beam into a first and second light beam; a first and a second wave-guide arm connected to the optical splitter for receiving and transmitting therethrough the first and second light beam, respectively, the waveguide arms each including a core region having group IV semiconductor material or a combination of group IV semiconductor materials; an optical combiner connected to the first and second waveguide arm for receiving the first and second light beam and combining them into an output light beam; a first and a second electrode structure associated with the first and second waveguide arm, respectively; and a driving circuit for supplying voltage to the first and second electrode structure. The driving circuit is adapted to supply a first modulation voltage super-imposed to a first bias voltage to the first electrode structure and a second modulation voltage superimposed to a second bias voltage to the second electrode structure.

Abstract: A photodetector structure includes a silicon-based waveguide in which optical signals to be detected travel in a given direction and are confined therein and a germanium layer disposed in contact with a portion of the silicon-based waveguide so that an evanescent tail of the propagating optical signal in the waveguide is coupled into the germanium layer. In addition, the germanium layer includes a mesa having a length along the signal propagating direction and a width in a direction substantially perpendicular to the propagating direction, in which the width of said mesa is smaller than its length. The photodetector also comprises a first and a second metal contacts, the first metallic contact being located on the germanium layer, the said second metallic contact being located on the silicon-based waveguide, the first and second contacts being used to collect electrons generated by light absorption to obtain an output electric signal.

Abstract: An apparatus for capturing images from checks and other financial and payment-related documents includes a base unit including an input slot for receiving a document to be processed. A transport stage located within the base unit receives the document from the input slot. The transport stage includes a document track, a processing device located along the document track, and a one-way gate located along the document track after the processing device. The document track includes a second, return path extending from a location at the one-way gate to a location before the processing device. A bi-directional drive mechanism receives the document as the document passes through the one-way gate in the forward direction. The bi-directional drive mechanism then reverses direction to drive the document in the reverse direction.

Abstract: A hand-operated document processor includes a base for receiving a document containing magnetic ink character data to be read and recognized, and a manually operated moving magnetic ink character recognition (MICR) subsystem. The subsystem includes a MICR read head. Movement of the subsystem causes the MICR read head to pass over the magnetic ink character data on the document. The base further includes a series of embedded markers that may be magnetic or optical. A speed sensing sensor is positioned such that the speed sensing sensor passes over the series of markers as the MICR read head passes over the magnetic ink character data on the document. MICR reading and recognition logic receives the signal from the MICR read head and the signal from the speed sensing sensor to provide position feedback information to the logic for use during character data recognition.

Abstract: A purified polypeptide includes an ApoA1 mimetic or fragment thereof that are resistant to oxidation.

Abstract: A method of determining whether a tumor will be non-responsive to sunitinib therapy including detecting whether IL-8 or MMP12 expression levels in the tumor are elevated as compared to a control, that is, a tumor having elevated IL-8 or MMP12 levels will be non-responsive to sunitinib. Also, a method for inhibiting the proliferation or causing the death of a sunitinib-resistant tumor cell by contacting the cell with an agent that inhibits IL-8 or MMP12 activity and with sunitinib, whereby proliferation of the tumor cell is inhibited or the tumor cell dies. Further, the invention includes compositions and kits that include an IL-8 inhibitor or an MMP12 inhibitor and sunitinib, and related methods of treatment.

Abstract: A vehicle panel (10) includes a core layer (12) and a layer of metalized film (14) bonded to the core layer (12). In one embodiment, the core layer (12) is made of a material with heat absorption or insulation properties. The layer of metalized film (14) is made of a material having heat reflective properties that can be bonded to the core layer (12). Alternatively, a compatible bonding agent can be applied to the core layer, the metalized film, or both. To form the vehicle panel (10), the layer metalized film (14) is positioned on one half of a mold tool and the core layer (12) is positioned on the other half of the mold tool. Heat is applied to the core layer (12) and the mold tool is closed such that the heat from the core layer (12) causes the metalized film (14) to be in a formable state and bonds to the core layer (12).

Abstract: A filter element is removably positionable within a filter housing defining a filter chamber for said filter element. The filter housing comprises a standpipe extending within the filter chamber. The filter element includes a tubular filter media circumscribing the standpipe, a first end cap supporting the filter media at one end thereof, a second end cap longitudinally spaced from the first end cap and supporting the filter media at the opposite end thereof, and a center tube extending between the first and second end caps. The center tube has at least one inlet opening therethrough, a bypass opening at a first end thereof adjacent to the first end cap and a standpipe opening at a second end thereof adjacent to the second end cap and through which the standpipe is adapted to be inserted longitudinally into the center tube.

Abstract: The present invention relates to substituted 5,6-dihydroimidazo[1,5-f]pteridines of formula I: which are useful as inhibitors of protein kinase. The invention also provides pharmaceutically acceptable compositions comprising said compounds and methods of using the compositions in the treatment of various disease, conditions, or disorders. The invention also provides processes for preparing compounds of the invention.

Abstract: A separator for separating or partially separating oil, water, gas and solids from hydrocarbon production well fluids comprises a vessel and a cyclone contained within the vessel. An inlet passage passes through a wall of the vessel and into the cyclone, the inlet passage having means for causing the flow to rotate within the cyclone. A first outlet passage for an oil rich phase extends from a position within the cyclone and substantially on a central axis of the cyclone; a second outlet passage for a water phase extends from a base of the vessel; and a third outlet passage for the solids extends from a lower end of the cyclone.

Abstract: Methods and systems for operator intervention in a document processing system are disclosed. One possible method includes capturing images of documents within a document processing system. The method further includes executing computerized analysis of the images to establish an acceptability determination regarding the images. The method further includes manually reviewing the computer analysis of the images to confirm or override the acceptability determination.

Abstract: A hydraulic circuit is disclosed. The hydraulic circuit includes an actuating mechanism having an engine valve and an engine valve spring, an added motion valve system having a cam system, a valve in fluid communication with the actuator mechanism, and a dump valve and at least one check valve in fluid communication with the valve to allow a recovery of energy stored in an engine valve spring during closing movement of the engine valve associated with the added motion system. A method for controlling a hydraulic circuit is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention features compositions and related methods for treating IBS and other gastrointestinal disorders and conditions (e.g., gastrointestinal motility disorders, functional gastrointestinal disorders, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, Inflammatory bowel disease, functional heartburn, dyspepsia (including functional dyspepsia or nonulcer dyspepsia), gastroparesis, chronic intestinal pseudo-obstruction (or colonic pseudo-obstruction), and disorders and conditions associated with constipation, e.g., constipation associated with use of opiate pain killers, post-surgical constipation (post-operative ileus), and constipation associated with neuropathic disorders as well as other conditions and disorders using peptides and other agents that activate the guanylate cyclase C (GC-C) receptor.

Abstract: A document scanning device and method of use are disclosed. The document scanning device includes a document bed and one or more document retention devices positioned along the document bed to define a document positioning surface. The document scanning device also includes a scanning module slidably attached to the document bed to pass over the document positioning surface. The document retention device retains a document in place on the document positioning surface as the scanning module slides over the document.

Abstract: A hand-operated document processor includes a base including a perforated bed for receiving a document containing magnetic ink character data to be read and recognized. The base defines a chamber under the perforated bed. A manually operated moving magnetic ink character recognition (MICR) subsystem includes a MICR read head and is attached to the base such that movement of the subsystem causes the MICR read head to pass over the magnetic ink character data on the document. MICR reading and recognition logic receives the signal from the MICR read head. A document positioning and retentioning device connected to the base includes a manually-powered anti-skew device for creating a vacuum. The created vacuum is provided to the chamber under the perforated bed such that the vacuum, acting through the perforations, securely holds the document during the scanning operation.