Abstract: A printed circuit board has two layers of printed circuit board dielectric material; a core made of ferromagnetic material between the two layers; and conductive leads on the opposite side of each dielectric layer from the core connected by via holes through both dielectric layers to form a conducting coil around the core. The conductive leads can form two separate coils around the core to form a transformer. A planar conducing sheet can be placed on or between one or more of the printed circuit board's dielectric layers to shield other circuitry on the printed circuit board from magnetic fields generated around the core. The core can be formed at least in part by electroless plating. Electroplating can be used to add a thicker layer of less conductive ferromagnetic material.

Abstract: Educational software using a computer and having a data storage system including a software module database management system and a user database management system. There is a quiz module database, maintained by the software module database management system, containing at least one quiz module, and a structured learning material editor module database, maintained by the software module database management system and containing at least one structured learning material editor modules. The software also has a structured learning material database, maintained by the user database management system, for storing at least one structured learning material data set created by a user. A user interface is provided for selecting system control functions, editing structured learning materials, presenting quizzes, receiving user answers to quizzes, and displaying quiz analysis results. A control system retrieves software modules from the software module database management system and activates them.

Abstract: A material disposal system ideally suited for use in container filling operations and includes a cover member and a hopper having a lower door operable relative to the hopper by pneumatic or other actuating means for opening and closing the passage disposed above a drum or other container to be filled. The cover member and hopper are fixedly attached to each other. The cover member forms a seal around the inside of the container opening such that air and other gases escaping from the container by the filling or other material handling operation are directed through filter means which separate airborne particulates therefrom. The material disposal system is adaptable for covering and sealing a wide variety of containers. The filter means is adaptable for filtering a wide variety of materials and particulate sizes for removal of noxious gases, vapors and other airborne effluents.

Abstract: Numerous studies suggest that the current popular designs of coronary stents are functionally equivalent and suffer a 16 to 22 percent rate of restenosis. Although the use of coronary stents is growing, the benefits of their use remain controversial in certain clinical situations or indications due to their potential complications. The application of gas cluster ion beam (GCIB) surface modification such as smoothing or cleaning appears to reduce these complications and lead to genuine cost savings and an improvement in patient quality of life. The present invention is directed to the use of GCIB surface modification to overcome prior problems of thrombosis and restenosis. The atomic level surface smoothing of stents utilizing GCIB substantially reduces undesirable surface micro-roughness in medical coronary stents.

Abstract: The present invention provides a miniature lighting system which is durable, inexpensive and yet versatile. The lighting system has a light source and electrical component assembly located within a housing. The electrical component assembly is surrounded by a sealant in order to prevent any water or moisture from reaching the electrical connections and to permanently seal and unitize the circuitry with the housing. The housing is shaped so as to surround and protect the light source without allowing the sealant to reach or coat the light source.

Abstract: A system and method reorients flat articles in a serial stream, by receiving a horizontally moving, serial input stream of substantially vertically oriented flat articles each having a downwardly oriented primary edge, laterally diverting the flat articles in the serial input stream alternately between a pair of separate paths, impeding horizontal movement of each flat article in each separate path, accelerating each flat article with impeded horizontal movement in the direction of its primary edge, and delivering substantially horizontally oriented flat articles from each separate path.

Abstract: A method and apparatus utilizing a series of optical components and systems which effectively detect and locate electromagnetic imaging or detection systems or devices, such as cameras and passive infrared detectors. A light source is arranged in a specially-prescribed manner, and is used in conjunction with imaging optics to illuminate an area. Any electromagnetic imaging or detection system in the illuminated area is detected with either the user's eye directly, or with detection optics to determine the existence of such electromagnetic imaging or detection system.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for enhancing the adhesion of a diamond-like carbon (DLC) film to a substrate and for producing a strongly adhered DLC film on a substrate. The adhesion is enhanced by ion beam pre-processing of the substrate prior to DLC film formation.

Abstract: A torch head includes a torch body which is inserted into the tube member, a cathode tube which is arranged in the torch body such that the longitudinal axis of the cathode tube is aligned to the longitudinal axis of the torch body and which has a cathode at the distal end of the cathode tube, an anode member which is arranged on the distal end side of the cathode tube, and a spraying material supply tube which opens toward a mouth opening formed in the anode member and which is arranged outside the torch body. In the anode member, a plasma gas supply chamber in which the front end of the cathode tube is stored in a non-contact state, an orifice which communicates with the plasma gas supply chamber and in which the cathode is stored in a non-contact state, and a plasma generation chamber which communicates with the orifice, which has a longitudinal axis substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the torch body, and which has the mouth opening are formed.

Abstract: A low level scaffold with ball screw drive is a lightweight, mobile, compact, electrically activated, self-erecting, scissor-type lifting platform. The electronic system utilizes an electric motor in direct drive arrangement with a ball screw assembly to vary the platform height from a retracted position to extended position. Electric switches limit reverse direction between the retracted and extended positions to vary platform height anywhere between the minimum and maximum heights above ground level. The design allows for transportation through household doorways and provides anti-tilt arms with threaded level mounts for use on non-level surfaces. The scaffold provides homeowners and small commercial contractors with an apparatus to perform small interior and exterior projects at elevated heights.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for reducing toxicity of a toxic agent are provided in which a polysaccharide, galactomannan is coadministered with a therapeutic agent in a liquid formulation to a subject to reduce toxicity of the agent for the subject.

Abstract: In order to conduct an electronic reverse auction, a computer system has a post means for posting product description information across a network, a bidding means for submitting a plurality of bids, proposals, and means for transmitting other information about goods and bidders. A means for evaluating the bids by a select criteria and a security means is also provided.

Abstract: The sequences for both the sigX-dependent autoregulatory promoter, PX, and the sig W-dependent autoregulatory promoter, PW, are described. The protein products controlled and expressed by the &sgr;X and &sgr;W holoenzymes are identified, indicating that these &sgr; factors affect responses to antimicrobial agents.

Abstract: Incorporating the use of a permanent magnet within a GCIB apparatus to separate undesirable monomer ions from a gas cluster ion beam to facilitate improved processing of workpieces. In an alternate embodiment, the effect of the permanent magnet may be controlled by the use of an electrical coil. The above system eliminates problems related to power consumption and heat generation.

Abstract: An optical interconnect system having a GRIN rod lens, the GRIN rod lens having a first end and a second end, and further having a preselected length, a preselected width and a preselected index of refraction. Means are fixedly secured to the first end of the GRIN rod lens for emitting electromagnetic radiation and means are fixedly secured to said second end of said GRIN rod lens for receiving the emitted electromagnetic radiation. The GRIN rod lens forms an image of the emitting means onto the receiving means and overcomes problems associated with misalignment.

Abstract: A tool adaptable for use with a power drill for the duel purpose of sanding and cutting a work piece without changing tools. The tool includes two components, one for cutting and one for abrading, which are reduced in diameter as required in order to provide suitable cutting and abrading surfaces for future use.

Abstract: A gas cluster ion beam (GCIB) etching process having a system for producing a gas cluster ion beam utilized to controllably etch a substrate. The gas cluster ion beam is initially directed along a preselected longitudinal axis. A portion of the GCIB etching apparatus is operably connected to the beam producing system and contains the substrate to be etched when impacted by said gas cluster ion beam. The portion of the GCIB etching apparatus includes a system for directing the gas cluster ion beam in a direction offset from the preselected longitudinal axis while permitting unwanted ionizing radiation to remain directed along the longitudinal axis. A substrate holder is located within a portion of the GCIB etching apparatus for positioning the substrate in line with the offset gas cluster ion beam during the etching process, and the unwanted ionizing radiation being substantially prevented from impinging upon the substrate during the etching process.

Abstract: A desmodromic valve actuation system for opening and closing at least one valve of an engine having a cam assemblage and a driving mechanism for reciprocal movement operably connected to said cam assemblage. The cam assemblage includes a cam mechanism for rotational movement and the driving mechanism also being operably connected to the at least one valve of the engine to move the at least one valve between a valve closed position and a valve open position and between the open position and the closed position in a manner directly related to the rotational movement of the cam mechanism. In addition, a mechanism is provided for adjustably controlling the movement of the at least one valve in order to provide a variable amount of opening of the at least one valve in the open position. The opening and closing of the at least one valve takes place without the intervention of a spring action.

Abstract: Authenticating an object includes marking the object with a mark containing at least two markers wherein each marker fluoresces when illuminated with one of UV and IR, but does not fluoresce when illuminated with visible light. The marking may be in the form of a bar code containing a number or alphanumeric codes uniquely identifying the object to be marked with the particular mixture of markers used. A spectral analysis of the marking ink or the code is used to define spectral peaks for use as part of the authentication signature. The authentication signature may be defined using the identified peaks and logical conditions imposed upon them such as minimum threshold amplitude values and ratio values among peaks.

Abstract: Refractory metal pickling bath of HF/H2O2 aqueous solution with recovery of the etched metal as a salt thereof and separation of dissolved impurities taken from the refractory metal, with avoidance of drawbacks of state of the art HF/HNO3 pickling solutions.