Abstract: A support apparatus (10) for use in supporting a person, particularly a bariatric patient. The apparatus (10) is selectively convertible between a seat configuration for supporting the person in a substantially seated position and a table configuration for supporting the person in a substantially prostrate position. The apparatus (10) is both vertically and angularly adjustable in either configuration. The apparatus (10) includes enhanced lateral support provided by telescoping support cylinders (74,76), and substantially automatically retracting foot support portions (50).

Abstract: A water-conserving blowout toilet (10) includes a valve (14), such as a globe valve, connected to a timing mechanism (16) for determining a volume of water flowing to a toilet bowl (32) independent of water flow, a bowl (32) having a lower portion (36) defining a volume of space such that a minimal amount of the water is sufficient to cover and seal a waste outlet (34), and a distribution manifold (22) for distributing the water into the bowl (32) for maximum effect. In another embodiment, the toilet (10) uses approximately 1.0 gallon of water per flush, with approximately 0.5 gallons being used to flush waste from the bowl (32), and approximately 0.5 gallons being used to cover and seal the waste outlet (34). In one embodiment, upper and lower portions (133,136) of the bowl (132) are constructed separately and then joined together.

Abstract: A honeycomb core is created from a stack of metal sheets that are welded together using a serpentine weld path. Each sheet in the stack is welded to the sheet underneath. All the odd-numbered sheets, excluding the bottom sheet, are welded using a first serpentine welding pattern that includes a plurality of long welds and a plurality of short welds. All the even-numbered sheets are welded using a second serpentine welding pattern that includes a plurality of long welds and a plurality of short welds, such that the long welds of the second serpentine welding pattern are shifted from the long welds of the first serpentine welding pattern. When a sufficient number of sheets have been welded, the stack is trimmed to remove the short welds. The stack is expanded by pulling the sheets one from another to form the honeycomb core.

Abstract: A laser welding pressure unit comprises a housing, a rotating element, and a foot. The housing may attach to a laser head. The rotating element may include an outer ring rotatably coupled to an inner ring, wherein the outer ring is coupled to the housing. The foot may couple to the inner ring such that the foot rotates with respect to the housing. The foot may also be configured to contact an upper surface of a metal sheet and may be oriented such that while the metal sheet is being welded, the foot rotates about a central vertical axis and the laser welding pressure unit is able to move in any direction without the foot breaking contact with the surface.

Abstract: The present invention provides a biologically pure isolate of the genus Salmonella having a disruption of at least one gene selected from the group consisting of aroA, rfaH, and thyA, as well as a method of treating cancer including the step of administering such a Salmonella to a subject in need thereof.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a vehicle jack include a base, an upright support mounted adjacent to and extending upwardly from the base, a toothed rack, a toothed bar pin, and a release handle. The toothed rack has a first end and a second end and defines a plurality of ratchet troughs therebetween, and the toothed rack is mounted adjacent the upright support. The ratchet assembly is adapted to move along a path defined by the upright support, and the toothed bar pin, which is mounted adjacent the ratchet assembly, is adapted to selectively engage a portion of the toothed rack adjacent one of the plurality of ratchet troughs as the ratchet assembly moves along the path. The release handle is mounted adjacent the second end of the toothed rack, and the release handle is adapted to selectively disengage the toothed bar pin from one of the plurality of ratchet troughs.

Abstract: A tree stand is provided, the tree stand including a platform support, first and second clamps rotatably attached to the platform support, and a platform attached to an upper portion of the platform support. Also provided is a climbing portion adapted to allow a user to enter and leave the tree stand. In some aspects of the invention, the various components of the tree stand can be easily assembled and disassembled for transporting and setting up the tree stand. The first and second clamps include openings for fasteners, which are used to secure the clamps to a tree.

Abstract: A device for retaining an animal on a transport system for moving the animal in a forward direction includes a lower portion operable to retain the animal and an upper portion operable for conveyance by the transport system. The upper portion is attachable to the lower portion, and the upper portion includes a connector for connecting the device to a drive mechanism. The connector has a longitudinal axis. The lower portion is operable for movement between a first position in which a longitudinal axis of the lower portion and the longitudinal axis of the connector are in substantially straight orientation relative to each other, and a second position wherein the longitudinal axis of the lower portion and the longitudinal axis of the connector are in substantially angled orientation relative to one another. The lower portion is substantially inhibited from moving in a rearward direction beyond said first position.

Abstract: A device (10) for retaining and associating an animal with a transport system during transport to and through one or more processing operations along a processing line. The device (10) includes a pivot mechanism (12) for reliably controlling the orientation of the animal during upward and downward travel on the transport system. More specifically, the device includes a lower portion (14) for retaining the animal, and an upper portion (16) for coupling with the transport system. The lower portion (14) is pivotably coupled with the upper portion (16) and movable between a first position in which the lower portion (14) and the upper portion (16) are in a substantially straight orientation relative to each other, and a second position in which the lower portion (14) and the upper portion (16) are in a substantially angled orientation relative to each other in the forward direction.

Abstract: A system and method links one or more disparate community awareness management (CAM) datasets for a community awareness program (CAP) with one or more spatial layers to create linked CAM datasets. One or more data attributes common to a CAM dataset and a spatial layer are identified, and the link is defined between the CAM dataset and the spatial layer. The spatial layer and the linked CAM dataset then may be queried using a single input query. Features from the spatial layer and features from the linked CAM dataset that match the query are generated for display. In one embodiment, a system and method manage CAP assets, transactions, interest areas for the CAP, and buffer areas for the CAP. An audience utility enables entering and maintaining audience data for the CAP. A journal utility enables making journal entries for one or more audience members, CAP assets, transactions, and/or other CAM data. A link document utility enables linking one or more documents to CAM data.

Abstract: A system and method links one or more disparate community awareness management (CAM) datasets for a community awareness program (CAP) with one or more spatial layers to create linked CAM datasets. One or more data attributes common to a CAM dataset and a spatial layer are identified, and the link is defined between the CAM dataset and the spatial layer. The spatial layer and the linked CAM dataset then may be queried using a single input query. Features from the spatial layer and features from the linked CAM dataset that match the query are generated for display. In one embodiment, a system and method manage CAP assets, transactions, interest areas for the CAP, and buffer areas for the CAP. An audience utility enables entering and maintaining audience data for the CAP. A journal utility enables making journal entries for one or more audience members, CAP assets, transactions, and/or other CAM data. A link document utility enables linking one or more documents to CAM data.

Abstract: A support apparatus (10) for use in supporting a person, particularly a bariatric patient. The apparatus (10) is selectively convertible between a seat configuration for supporting the person in a substantially seated position and a table configuration for supporting the person in a substantially prostrate position. The apparatus (10) is both vertically and angularly adjustable in either configuration. The apparatus (10) includes enhanced lateral support provided by telescoping support cylinders (74,76), and substantially automatically retracting foot support portions (50).

Abstract: A frame for measuring a pitcher's circle includes a housing for engagement with a pitcher's plate, a measuring line and a guide rod. The measuring line is swivel connected to a centering member on the housing, with its free end connected to the guide rod. The measuring line has a predetermined length such that the tip of the guide rod represents the radial distance of the pitcher's circle when the measuring line is fully extended from the centering member. The pitcher's circle is marked out by simply walking the guide rod about the pitcher's plate. A leveling member is provided on the guide rod to ensure that the guide rod is kept at 90° vertical to prevent measuring inaccuracies.

Abstract: A computer system is disclosed that contains cryptographic keys and cryptographic key identifiers. The system has a repository cryptographic engine that communicates securely with a remote cryptographic engine, and the repository cryptographic engine is associated with a user data store. The user data store includes a hidden link including a session key identifier encrypted with a protection key. The hidden link is associated with a remote data entity. A key data store associated with the repository server includes a session key encrypted with a session-key-protection key. The session key is used to encrypt and decrypt the remote data entity. The system also includes a repository key exchange module operable to exchange the session key with a remote key exchange module.

Abstract: A high-efficiency power semiconductor rectifier device (10) comprising a ?P++ layer (12), a P-body (14), an N-drift region (16), an N+ substrate (18), an anode (20), and a cathode (22). The method of fabricating the device (10) comprises the steps of depositing the N-drift region (16) on the N+ substrate (18), implanting boron into the N-drift region (16) to create a P-body region (14), forming a layer of titanium silicide (56) on the P-body region (14), and concentrating a portion of the implanted boron at the interface region between the layer of titanium silicide (56) and the P-body region (14) to create the ?P++ layer (12) of supersaturated P-doped silicon.

Abstract: A device (10) for retaining and associating an animal with a transport system during transport to and through one or more processing operations along a processing line. The device (10) includes a pivot mechanism (12) for reliably controlling the orientation of the animal during upward and downward travel on the transport system. More specifically, the device includes a lower portion (14) for retaining the animal, and an upper portion (16) for coupling with the transport system. The lower portion (14) is pivotably coupled with the upper portion (16) and movable between a first position in which the lower portion (14) and the upper portion (16) are in a substantially straight orientation relative to each other, and a second position in which the lower portion (14) and the upper portion (16) are in a substantially angled orientation relative to each other in the forward direction.

Abstract: The invention herein provides a mode of treating metabolic syndrome, which includes Type 2 diabetes mellitus and insulin resistance in human and other subjects by identifying and administering an insulin sensitizing compound which modulates GRK2 function in the insulin signaling pathway. The invention also provides polynucleotides, polypeptides, vectors, cells, tissues and organisms useful in the identification and treatment of metabolic syndrome. A number of desirable insulin sensitizing aspects are achieved by various embodiments of the present invention.

Abstract: A revenue balancing method and computer program that more quickly, accurately, and easily reconciles or balances revenue contained in cash drawers at the end of cashiers' shifts or breaks while at the same time building or constructing new cash drawers for new shifts. The method permits cash drawers to be constructed and/or replenished with coins from a perpetual inventory of loose coins rather than requiring the use of rolls of coins.

Abstract: A computer-based system (10) and method for dis-identifying personal identifiable information (152, 162) and associated records (172) is disclosed. The system includes a system manager (20) module, an encryption and key management module (30), and a storage module (40). The system manager module (20) stores related sensitive information portions (152) of the personal identifiable information (152, 162), non-sensitive information portions (162) of the personal identifiable information, and associated records (172) in separate databases (100, 110, 120 or 150, 160, 170) in storage module (40) with each database record including one or more hidden links generated by the encryption and key management module (30) that can be used to determine the related records or information in one of the other databases. The hidden links are encrypted so that the relationships between the database records are hidden.