Abstract: A simplified rocket engine a rocket engine has a rotor assembly with an ultracentrifugal (over 200 meters/second tangential velocity) liquid pump arranged around a combustion chamber so as to provide both forced convective and Coriolis-effect and centripetal-acceleration enhanced free convective regenerative cooling to the combustion chamber while pressurizing the liquid propellant. Both fuel and oxidizer may be stored a cryogenic temperatures and pumped around the combustion chamber for regenerative cooling. The combustion chamber may be structured to rotate together with the pump to provide Coriolis-effect and centripetal-acceleration enhanced combustion. The rotor assembly is driven directly by a tangential component of the primary thrust vector by means of tilted nozzles or by vanes, flutes, or other reaction surfaces.

Abstract: A parallel programming system provides a lazy collection oriented data type that reduces inter-processor communication in programs executed on parallel computers. The lazy collection oriented data type is provided as a data type in a parallel programming language. The parallel language supports both data-parallel and control-parallel operations. These operations take advantage of the lazy collection oriented data type to defer or reduce inter-processor communication until an operation on the data type requires that it be balanced across a set of processors.

Abstract: FK506 and geldanamycin promote nerve regeneration by a common mechanism that involves the binding of these compounds to polypeptide components of steroid receptor complexes other than the steroid hormone binding portion of the complex (FKBP52 and hsp90, respectively). These and other agents cause hsp90 dissociation from steroid receptor complexes or block association of hsp90 with steroid receptor complexes.

Abstract: Peptides are disclosed that inhibit the conversion of protease sensitive prion protein (PrPsen) to the protease resistant isoform (PrPres). These peptides comprise discrete fragments of prion proteins, and are shown to inhibit the in vitro conversion of PrPsen to PrPres in a cell-free system. Numerous peptides are disclosed that include at least two amino acid residues from the highly amyloidogenic region P113-120 of the PrP protein. None of these peptides conferred protease-resistance to the PrPsen molecules. The presence of residues 119 and 120 from the highly hydrophobic sequence AGAAAAGA (position 113 to 120) produced a particular inhibitory effect. The inhibition occurred with a high degree of specificity (e.g. with an IC50 of less than about 1000 &mgr;M).

Abstract: A method for making debromohymenialdisine (DBH) 2 and analogs thereof is described. One embodiment of the present method first comprises forming hymenin 4, and then converting hymenin into DBH 2 as described herein. One such embodiment first comprises providing a compound having Formula 3 where R is independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and lower aliphatic, and X is independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and halogen. A compound having Formula 3, such as Compound 10 with R and X as hydrogen, is then converted to DBH 2 or an analog thereof. An alternative embodiment of the method comprises forming Compound 30 or Compound 32, which are then directly converted to DBH 2. Alternatively, Compound 30 can be converted to Compound 10, which is then subsequently converted to DBH 2 by reaction with a halogen in the presence of an acid.

Abstract: A method of marking bullets and bullets marked by the method are described. In one embodiment, the method comprises coating the bullet of a cartridge with at least one coating material whose surface appearance contrasts with the surface appearance of the underlying bullet material. Characters are then selectively etched in, and generally substantially through, the coating, such as molybdenum disulfide. The characters are easily and quickly recognized because of the contrast between the surface appearances of the coating and that of the underlying material. The characters typically, but not necessarily, indicate characteristics of the bullet, such as bullet weight and design features.

Abstract: A vehicle suspension system is provided for coupling elongated frame rails to first and second axles, the axles extending in a direction transverse to the frame rails. Each axle has opposed outer end portions projecting outwardly beyond the frame rails. At each side of the vehicle, in proximity to the frame rail at the respective side of the vehicle, a vehicle suspension is provided which includes a leaf spring assembly comprised of one or more leaf springs. The leaf spring assembly has first and second end portions and a central portion. The leaf spring assembly extends from the outer end portion of the first axle to the outer end portion of the second axle. A bushing is coupled to the frame rail. The bushing includes at least three arcuate reinforcing plates with elastomeric material disposed between the plates. The leaf spring assembly is coupled to the bushing, most preferably by a clamp, to thereby couple the central portion of the leaf spring to the frame rail through the bushing.

Abstract: A method and system for interfacing to type libraries are provided. In a preferred embodiment, the present invention defines an interface to a type library. The interface has a plurality of interface methods through which type information can be stored in and retrieved from the type library. A plurality of implementations of the defined interface are provided. A computer program is compiled using the defined interfaces to access the type information. When the compiled computer program is executed, it accesses the type information using one of the plurality of implementations. In a preferred embodiment, a type library contains type information to allow a compiler to bind to an instance of type at compile type (early binding).

Abstract: Currently microfiltration devices use hydrophillic membranes to sterilize liquids. Air locks may develop on the upstream side of the filter membrane within these apparatus. The present invention provides a method and apparatus for removing an air lock from the upstream side of a microfilter in a device for dispensing a sterile liquid from a storage container by forcing the liquid through a microfilter.

Abstract: Existing fiber optic transmission systems do not provide for or permit a raceway arrangement for optically transmitted signals which would allow flexible access to such signals. The present invention provides a system for providing multiple access to a fiber optic transmission at selected locations along a continuum.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for reducing thermal deformation of “upstream” marks (as used for alignment and/or calibration) situated on a reticle or on a reticle plane (e.g., on the reticle stage), thereby facilitating more accurate transfer of the reticle pattern to a sensitized substrate (e.g., semiconductor wafer) using a charged particle beam (e.g., electron beam). The charged particle beam illuminates an upstream mark situated on the reticle or on a reticle plane and projects an image of the illuminated upstream mark onto a corresponding “downstream” mark situated on a substrate plane. A shield is situated upstream of the upstream mark and serves to block downstream passage of the charged particle beam except to illuminate the upstream mark or a portion of the upstream mark. The upstream mark can be situated on the reticle or on a mark member situated in the reticle plane.

Abstract: A method and system for delayed registration of a remote protocol for communicating between a client computer system and a server computer system. The server computer system has a communications process that registers a plurality of protocols. When the client process needs to communicate with the server process, it sends a request to the communications process along with an indication of the protocols that it supports. The communications process selects a protocol that is supported by both the client computer system and the server computer system and directs the server process to register that protocol. The communication process provides the server endpoint for that protocol to the client process which can then communicate directly with the server process.

Abstract: Wellness plan administration software provides a user interface to enable users to learn about and select a wellness plan. The software tracks wellness plan service items for patients and dynamically estimates discounts for service items offered to patients during visits to a medical facility. When a patient's visit is complete, the software can generate an invoice automatically and analyze the product and service items provided during the visit to determine the appropriate discount. The software includes additional features for recording promotional activities associated with wellness plans and computing employee bonuses.

Abstract: Segmented reticles are disclosed for used with charged-particle-beam projection-microlithography apparatus. Such reticles comprise multiple mask subfields and a support grid, of intersecting struts, having an upstream-facing surface and a downstream-facing surface. Alignment marks are situated on the upstream- or downstream-facing surface. The projection-microlithography apparatus comprise a beam source, an illumination system, and a subfield-selection deflector. A second deflector downstream of the reticle further deflects the beam to impart a change in a parameter of the beam to correct reticle distortion. A correction-optical system can further change one or more characteristics of the beam downstream of the reticle to correct reticle distortion. A detector determines actual alignment-mark positions relative to ideal positions, and a controller calculates therefrom a required change to be imparted to the charged particle beam to correct the reticle distortion.

Abstract: A bridle bit including a mouthpiece connected to at least one cheek ring. The mouthpiece is sized and shaped to be received in a horse's mouth. The cheek ring, preferably generally ringed shaped, is connected to an end of the mouthpiece and resides closely adjacent to the cheek of the horse. The cheek ring includes a headstall slot extending radially through an upper circumferential portion of the ring so that each headstall slot is co-planar with a plane defined by a circumference of the ring. The cheek ring may also include a rein slot extending radially through a lower circumferential portion of the ring so that the rein slot is also co-planar with the plane defined by the circumference of the ring. Additionally, the cheek ring may include a curb chain aperture extending radially through the cheek ring.

Abstract: A human speech detection method detects pure-speech signals in an audio signal containing a mixture of pure-speech and non-speech or mixed-speech signals. The method accurately detects the pure-speech signals by computing a novel Valley Percentage feature from the audio signal and then classifying the audio signals into pure-speech and non-speech (or mixed-speech) classifications. The Valley Percentage is a measurement of the low energy parts of the audio signal (the valley) in comparison to the high energy parts of the audio signal (the mountain). To classify the audio signal, the method performs a threshold decision on the value of the Valley Percentage. Using a binary mask, a high Valley Percentage is classified as pure-speech and a low Valley Percentage is classified as non-speech (or mixed-speech). The method further employs morphological filters to improve the accuracy of human speech detection.

Abstract: A method for a user process to specify a policy for allocating pages of physical memory on the nodes of a multinode multiprocessor computer system. Through means such as a system call, an application program can specify to the operating system that physical pages of memory for an application-specified portion of virtual address space are to be physically allocated upon a specified set of nodes, subject to the additional selection criteria that the pages are to be allocated at first reference upon: 1) the node upon which the reference first occurs; 2) the node which has the most free memory, or 3) that the pages should be evenly distributed across the indicated set of nodes. In effect, the operating system remembers the specified allocation policy and node set from which the physical pages can be subsequently allocated, as established by a system call. Subsequent use of the virtual address space for which the allocation policy is defined results in the memory being allocated accordingly.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for making reticles for charged-particle-beam (CPB) microlithography and for using such reticle for making CPB microlithographic exposures using divided-pattern exposure. The reticles are made using data, generated from corresponding LSI design data by a “data generator” (e.g., computer), and stored as a reticle-pattern data file in a memory. Corresponding data for controlling a CPB microlithographic exposure apparatus (using the reticle) are stored in an exposure data file. Of the data stored in these files, the reticle-pattern data is routed to a host computer for a reticle-writing device. The reticle writing device produces a pattern on a segmented reticle according to the data. Exposure data corresponding to the reticle-pattern data are routed to a host computer of a CPB microlithographic exposure apparatus.

Abstract: A driver circuit (18) generates a circuit output signal (VDO) which is provided to an electrical conductor (12) that furnishes a conductor output signal (VBO) to a load (14). The circuit and conductor output signals make corresponding circuit and conductor output transitions approximately between a pair of output voltage levels (VSS and VDD) between which there is an intermediate voltage level (VHH). Inductance (LB) and capacitance (CB and CL) of the conductor and load produce resonance that enables the conductor output signal to largely complete each conductor output transition while the circuit output signal is being held at or close to the intermediate voltage level for a short period. The circuit output signal rapidly completes each circuit output transition after the intermediate-level holding period is over. By operating in this manner, energy is re-used in a resonant manner, thereby substantially reducing power consumption.