Abstract: A laser transmitter capable of transmitting large numbers of WDM channels but requiring locking of only a single channel. Each of the channels can be individually modulated using an external modulator.

Abstract: Organo-titanate catalysts are prepared that are useful to catalyze depolymerization of a polyester to produce macrocyclic oligoesters substantially free from macrocyclic co-oligoesters.

Abstract: A controllable transformer device comprising a body of a magnetic material, a primary winding wound round the body about a first axis, a secondary winding wound round the body about a second axis at right angles to the first axis, and a control winding wound the body about a third axis, coincident with the second axis. The device can be employed to provide a frequency controlled power supply.

Abstract: The invention provides electroconductive particles comprising a styrene copolymer core and an external gold coating, characterised in that as said copolymer core is used a styrene copolymer comprising less than 50 wt. % styrene residues.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a sole for an article of footwear and the method of manufacture. The sole includes a mesh layer at least partially embedded in a sole layer. The method for manufacturing the sole includes the steps of providing a mold, inserting a mesh into the mold, and forming a sole layer in the mold, the sole layer having a mesh layer at least partially embedded in the sole layer. The invention also relates to an article of footwear that includes this sole, and the method of manufacture thereof.

Abstract: A dual rail tool holder may be used to store and organize garden and lawn tools with long handles in an inverted position, as well as to store and organize accessories. The tool holder consists of a first rail and a second rail, that are vertically and horizontally offset from each other forming an opening therebetween. Ends of tool handles are inserted in the opening between the rails and are stored in a generally vertical orientation.

Abstract: A matrix, including epithelial basement membrane, for inducing repair of mammalian tissue defects and in vitro cell propagation derived from epithelial tissues of a warm-blooded vertebrate.

Abstract: A voice message delivery method and system for delivering voice messages from a Sender to a Receiver, where neither the Sender nor the Receiver are required to be Subscribers to the system. The invention allows voice messages to be delivered to non-Subscribers and, if they are not how, to be recorded into the existing answering machine or voicemail system of the Recipient. Advertisements played during either the process of sending or receiving a message provide revenue for a company providing the service of the present invention without requiring users to become Subscribers.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided for diagnosing and treating Pseudoxanthoma elasticum (PXE) patients and PXE carriers. Methods and compositions are based on the discovery that PXE mutations are located in the MRP6 (ABCC6) gene.

Abstract: Methods and materials for preparing investment molds useful in pressure infiltration casting of near net-shape metal or metal matrix composite (MMC) components. One embodiment of the invention includes disposing a slurry of an appropriately sized refractory material and a vehicle around a preform or fugitive pattern, removing the bulk of the vehicle, then curing/drying the refractory material to create an investment mold of the invention. Subsequently, pressure infiltration casting with a molten infiltrant using the investment mold permits infiltration of the mold cavity and/or preform without infiltration of the investment mold. As a result, the investment mold readily is removed to provide the near net-shape metal or MMC component. In other embodiments of the invention, a non-fugitive pattern is used, typically with a modified refractory cement of the invention.

Abstract: Sonic transducers utilize resonant cavities of varying depths to achieve wide operational bandwidth. The transducers may include a conductive membrane spaced apart from one or more backplate electrodes. In one approach, spacing is achieved using a dielectric spacer having a series of depressions arranged in a pattern, the depressions forming cavities each resonant at a predetermined frequency. In another approach, the conductive membrane is piezoelectrically active, and the transducer is simultaneously driven in both piezoelectric and electrostatic modes.

Abstract: A search engine system is provided for a portal site on the internet. The search engine system employs a regular search engine to make one-shot or demand searches for information entities which provide at least threshold matches to user queries. The search engine system also employs a collaborative/content-based filter to make continuing searches for information entities which match existing wire queries and are ranked and stored over time in user-accessible, system wires corresponding to the respective queries. A user feedback system provides collaborative feedback data for integration with content profile data in the operation of the collaborative/content-based filter. A query processor determines whether a demand search or a wire search is made for an input query.

Abstract: A collapsible and expandable stent includes a body segment, first and second terminal ends spaced apart from each other, a substantially smooth wall and a lumen extending between the first and second ends. The device can be used for maintaining the patency of the prostatic urethra in a male patient. The stent may be designed according to the individual needs of particular patients. A delivery system for deploying the stent and other collapsible and expandable stents in the body of the patient comprises a retractable sheath, a shaft and a locking element to reversibly lock the sheath to the shaft.

Abstract: A lubricant compound for use for both boundary and elastohydrodynamic lubrication utilize a hydrocarbon boundary lubricant linked to one or more fluorocarbon elastohydrodynamic lubricants and may be employed alone or as an additive. The lubricant compound lubricates surfaces on which it is disposed over a range of conditions. The boundary lubricant and the elastohydrodynamic lubricant are substituted such that they react with and/or provide desirable lubrication properties for particular surfaces.

Abstract: A system and method for the in situ discrimination of healthy and diseased tissue. A fiberoptic based probe is employed to direct ultraviolet illumination onto a tissue specimen and to collect the fluorescent response radiation. The response radiation is observed at three selected wavelengths, one of which corresponds to an isosbestic point. In one example, the isosbestic point occurs at about 431 nm. The intensities of the observed signals are normalized using the 431 nm intensity. A score is determined using the ratios in a discriminant analysis. The tissue under examination is resected or not, based on the diagnosis of disease or health, according to the outcome of the discriminant analysis.

Abstract: The invention provides an improved test cell for detecting the presence of an analyte in a liquid sample. The device has an elongate casing defining a liquid sample inlet, a reservoir volume, a test volume, and a window through the casing at the test volume. Disposed within the cell is a sample absorbent, a novel biphasic substrate and a reservoir, together capable of transporting an aqueous solution within the casing along a flow path extending from the sample inlet through the test volume and into the reservoir volume. The invention further comprises a method for detecting the presence of an analyte in a liquid sample using the device and a biphasic chromatographic material for carrying out the method.

Abstract: An incremental garbage collector and method of incremental garbage collection useful for systems with real-time requirements, including a method for incrementally scanning multiple program stacks in units of individual stack locations. Methods and system allow the garbage collector to be preempted by the system and then return to garbage collection without rescanning any portion of a partially completed stack.

Abstract: Systems and methods for implementing improved disk caching in a programmed computer. Improved disk caching is achieved through apparatus and methods that permit the designation of files or types of files as memory-resident, transient, or normal (i.e., neither memory-resident or transient). The disk blocks associated with a memory-resident file are loaded immediately into cache memory in whole or in part, or are loaded on a block-by-block basis as they are accessed. The blocks of a memory-resident file remain in cache until the file is designated not memory resident, whereupon the blocks become purgeable, or until cache size limits force the removal of blocks from the cache. The blocks are purged immediately in whole or in part, or displaced gradually as blocks from other memory-resident files displace them. The blocks of a transient file are maintained in cache for a shorter duration before removal, freeing resources to cache other blocks.

Abstract: Disclosed is a novel structure and process for detecting protocol errors on a communications bus. According to one aspect of the invention, a protocol error detector comprises a physical error detector, a sequential error detector, and a logical error detector, each detecting physical, sequential, and logical protocol violations, respectively, and signaling a bus transaction error when a protocol violation is detected. In one embodiment, the protocol error detector substantially simultaneously checks each bus transaction for physical, sequential, and logical protocol violations. In another embodiment, the protocol error detector signals a detected bus transaction protocol violation substantially coincident with the bus transaction.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method and apparatus for providing a coding competition. In one embodiment, a method for providing a coding competition includes transmitting a coding problem to contestants, receiving computer code created by a contestant, determining a response of the computer code to test data, and evaluating the response of the computer code to the test data. In another embodiment, a method for evaluating a skill level of a contestant includes electronically communicating a coding problem to contestants, electronically receiving a software program in response to the coding problem from one of the contestants, evaluating the received software program, awarding points to the contestant based on the received software program, and determining a rating for the contestant for the competition based on the number of points awarded to the contestant.