Abstract: A method of screening for nucleic acid sequence copy no. in a sample genetic material, the method including introducing a no. of different genetic probes to hybridize with the genetic sample. The probes are flanked by the same or substantially the same primer binding sites thereby enabling amplification of sample-bound probes using a single primer pair and thus the screening of different sequence copy nos. at the same time. Genetic alterations are known to underlie phenotype characteristics including disorders as idiopathic mental retardation and neoplasia.

Abstract: A Hall effect safety switch assembly for de-activating a motor vehicle if a user is not positioned on a vehicle seat. The assembly includes a switch frame for mounting the assembly, a magnet and a hall effect sensor mounted to the switch frame in a spaced apart relationship, and a vane that moves in response to the presence of a vehicle operator on the seat that causes the Hall effect sensor to provide an inhibit signal that prevents an engine from running.

Abstract: Retrofitting recommender systems, so that they can scale to large data, is disclosed. The principal notion is to reduce data requirements of existing recommender engines by performing a type of data reduction that minimizes the loss of information given the engine. The reductions covered in this invention are designed to be easily implemented on a database system, and are intended to have minimal impact on an existing implementation of a recommender system. In one embodiment, a method repeats reducing the data by a number of records, until an accuracy threshold or a performance requirement is met. If the accuracy threshold is met first, the method repeats removing a highest-frequency dimension from the data, until the performance requirement is also met. The reduced data is provided to the recommender system, which generates predictions based on the reduced data, and a query.

Abstract: A collection apparatus (10) suitable for collecting dog excreta and the like. The apparatus (10) comprises an elongate main member (12) and an open square frame (32) pivotally mounted on the member (12) towards one end thereof. The apparatus (10) also comprises a container (36) with a hinged lid (50). The container (36) is selectively locatable in the frame (32), such that excreta can be picked up in the container (36) and the lid (50) automatically closed, by pivoting of the frame (32).

Abstract: A method of providing a vehicle monitoring system for ensuring accurate vehicle mileage readings. A comparison is made between velocity measurements from several sources to detect unauthorized modifications made to a vehicle in an effort to ensure accurate vehicle odometer readings. The vehicle velocity measured on-board is compared with vehicle velocity data signals received from a remote satellite system in light of an allowable tolerance. The system will detect changes in the vehicle such as tire size or tampering with the vehicles on-board measurement devices. The system may communicate out of tolerance conditions to the vehicle operator and the fleet manager.

Abstract: A system for fabricating muntin bars from sheet material. Sheet material in the form of thin ribbon stock is fed to a first forming station including a punching mechanism that punches the ribbon stock at a precisely predetermined location. The ribbon stock is delivered from the first forming station to a second forming station in the form of a rolling mill. The stock passes through a succession of forming rolls to produce a tube having a desired cross-sectional shape. The tube is delivered from the second forming station to a third forming station including a severing apparatus that severs the tube at a precisely predetermined location to produce a muntin bar. After severing, the muntin bar is engaged by a conveyor and moved to a desired location.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a multi-purpose gardening tool. In one preferred embodiment, the tool includes an arcuate central base. Extending from one end of the base is an arcuate scoop adapted to dig into, scoop up and transport a quantity of material. Extending from an opposite end of the base is a substantially V-shaped cutter having a sharpened peripheral edge for cutting through roots and the like. Preferably, the base, scoop and cutter are aligned and have a common radius of curvature to define a smooth bottom surface. The tool includes a handle extending generally parallel to a longitudinal axis of the tool. To protect a hand of a gardener gripping the handle, the handle offset from the peripheral edges of the scoop and cutter and the handle is supported at opposite ends by a pair of solid circular supports.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for maintaining a queue structure having data nodes within a computer memory. The queue is maintained by the steps of maintaining a pool of available data nodes for use in maintaining the queue structure. Data is added to the queue structure by adding a nodes to the queue structure. Each data node includes a data portion, a link for addressing other data nodes in the queue structure, and an identifier. Data within the queue is accessed and then removed from the queue but the data nodes are preserved in memory by adding them to the pool of available data nodes. New data nodes are added to the queue by first checking the data pool, which in an exemplary embodiment is in the form of a stack, to determine if there are any nodes available in the pool before creating a new data node.

Abstract: A storage apparatus (10) comprising a plurality of first storage compartments (26) which are rotatably mounted around a substantially vertical shaft (14). The apparatus (10) being arranged such that the first compartments (26) are usually in a raised position, and a selective one of the first compartments (26) can be moved down the shaft (14) to bring the respective first compartment (26) to an accessible height. The apparatus (10) may also comprise one or more lower second storage compartments (16) which may define a space (18) into which the respective first compartment (26) can be slid.

Abstract: A rotary knife having a handle having a head section, a blade housing that comprises a split, ring-like member supported by the head section and defining a circumferentially extending groove, an annular blade supported in the blade housing groove for rotation about a central axis. The blade housing comprises a ring-like member having an annularly extending blade supporting groove that opens radially inwardly and in which the blade is rotatably disposed. The groove peripheral wall defines a plurality of blade engaging bearing faces spaced apart throughout the blade housing periphery and a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart fat receiving recesses. The blade housing also defines a plurality of fat directing channels each communicating with a fat receiving recess for directing fat from the recess out of the blade housing.

Abstract: A two degree of freedom camera mount. The camera mount includes a socket, a ball, a first linkage and a second linkage. The socket includes an interior surface and an opening. The ball is positioned within an interior of the socket. The ball includes a coupling point for rotating the ball relative to the socket and an aperture for mounting a camera. The first and second linkages are rotatably connected to the socket and slidably connected to the coupling point of the ball. Rotation of the linkages with respect to the socket causes the ball to rotate with respect to the socket.

Abstract: A radiation source constructed in accordance with the invention is particularly suited for use in processing semiconductor wafers. An exemplary embodiment of the invention includes a base electrode having a two dimensional surface bounding one side of a radiation emitting region. An ionizable, excimer gas is present in the radiation emitting region. The excimer gas, when energized, emits radiation in the UV and/or VUV wavelengths. A two dimensional dielectric radiation transmissive layer bounds an opposite side of the radiation emitting region and transmits radiation to a wafer treatment region. Disposed between the dielectric radiation transmissive layer and a protective radiation transmissive window is a two dimensional matrix or screen electrode defining a plane generally parallel to the two dimensional surface of the base electrode region. A power supply coupled to the base and matrix electrodes to energize the electrodes and the eximer gas causing emission of UV and/or VUV radiation.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner brushroll including a spindle, bristle tufts carried by the spindle, and sleeves fitted on the ends of the spindle, the bristle tufts including angled end tufts that extend through the sleeve outwardly beyond the ends of the spindle to provide a wide cleaning path and improved edge cleaning capability upon rotation of the brushroll. The sleeve on one end of the brushroll has a pulley.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner brushroll having skirted, one piece plastic ferrules inserted into the ends of a tufted, wood spindle so that the ferrule skirts embrace the spindle end portions to prevent the ferrules from loosening upon expansion of the spindle due to moisture. The skirts are drilled to permit angled tufting to be inserted very near the spindle ends with the tufting extending axially and radially outwardly beyond the spindle ends to provide improved edge cleaning and create a wider cleaning path compared to conventional brushroll designs.

Abstract: A plier tool for cutting multi-conductor electrical cables is disclosed. The tool has a pair of levers having pivotally connected boss portions. The levers also having coacting handle and jaw portions on opposite sides of the boss portions such that upon manipulation of the handles toward one another the jaw portions close to perform a work operation. The jaw portions include coactable cutter sections each having stepped parts oriented such that on closure on a multi-conductor cable a first pair of the parts will substantially sever a first conductor before a second pair of the parts commences to sever a second conductor.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for the treatment of autism comprising administering to a person in need of such treatment a therapeutically effective amount of a lipid-soluble thiamine derivative. The lipid-soluble thiamine derivative is preferably tetrahydrofurfuryl disulfide (TTFD). TTFD administration methods may include suppository forms, transdermal carriers, such as gels, lotions, or creams; and oral carriers, such as tablets or capsules.

Abstract: A process for reducing roughness from a surface of a patterned photoresist. The process includes exposing a substrate having the patterned photoresist thereon to a vapor, wherein the vapor penetrates into and/or reacts with the surface of the photoresist. The substrate having the patterned photoresist thereon is then heated to a temperature and for a time sufficient to cause the surface of the photoresist to flow and/or react with the vapor wherein the surface roughness decreases. Optionally, the substrate is exposed to radiation during the process to increase the etch resistance of the photoresist and/or facilitate the reaction of the vapor with the surface of the photoresist.

Abstract: A brake system with an integral proximity sensor for providing an indication of a condition of the brake system. The brake system includes a brake drum, a brake shoe, a brake pad, and a position sensor. The brake pad is connected to a pad mounting surface of the brake shoe. The brake pad and brake shoe are movable from a disengaged position, where the brake pad is spaced apart from the brake drum to an engaged position, where the pad is in forcible engagement with the brake drum. The position sensor is coupled to the brake shoe for sensing the position of the brake shoe with respect to the position sensor. The position of the brake shoe with respect to the position sensor provides an indication of one or more conditions of the brake system.