Abstract: Shock absorbing seat belt height adjusters for use with vehicle occupant restraint systems, and associated systems and methods. In one embodiment, a shock absorbing height adjuster includes an adjustable D-ring that is operably coupled to an anchor point on a vehicle frame near a seat occupant's shoulder. The height adjuster can include an anti-cinch feature that enables the D-ring to elastically respond to tension loads in a shoulder web portion of the occupant restraint through at least an initial portion of D-ring movement.

Abstract: Shock absorbing seat belt height adjusters for use with vehicle occupant restraint systems, and associated systems and methods. In one embodiment, a shock absorbing height adjuster can be attached to a vehicle frame between an upper anchor point and a lower anchor point adjacent to an occupant's shoulder. The height adjuster can include a web clamp that locates a D-ring for positioning a shoulder web portion of the restraint web at a desired height that is comfortable for the occupant. Additionally, the height adjuster can include an anti-cinch feature that can elastically extend in response to tension loads in the shoulder web portion, thereby reducing shock loads from being transmitted to the seat occupant from the shoulder web portion.

Abstract: A hygienic tissue dispenser includes an enclosure, a lid, and a spool to allow a hygienic tissue paper to be stored and dispensed. The lid is hingedly connected to the enclosure at a pivot edge, opposite a primary side of the enclosure. At a free edge of the lid is a clamping projection, which includes a bottom edge with serrations. The primary side has a corresponding opening edge and depression therein, also with serrations. The hygienic tissue paper is secured about a spool, the latter of which is rotatably and detachably mounted to the interior of the enclosure via a first spool receptacle and a second spool receptacle. The clamping projection of the lid can be shut upon a loose portion of the hygienic tissue paper, securing it between the bottom edge and the opening edge. A use can then tear the hygienic tissue paper at the desired length.

Abstract: In accordance with one embodiment, a device to be affixed to an automatic dishwasher rack in order to provide a means by which one can secure a number of chopsticks or similarly shaped items such that the items can be cleaned without risk of damaging either the dishwasher or aforementioned items.

Abstract: A method of providing a user the option to accept an incoming call, play a prerecorded message to the incoming party, ignore the incoming call or forward the incoming call to a separate telephone number is disclosed for use when the user is connected, via the same telephone line, to the Internet. The disclosed invention reduces the number of times the incoming call is transferred which reduces the number of reserves used in processing the incoming call. This reduction frees up system resources and allows overall system resources to be used more efficiently.

Abstract: A method of providing a user the option to accept an incoming call, play a prerecorded message to the incoming party, ignore the incoming call or forward the incoming call to a separate telephone number is disclosed for use when the user is connected, via the same telephone line, to the Internet. The disclosed invention reduces the number of times the incoming call is transferred which reduces the number of reserves used in processing the incoming call. This reduction frees up system resources and allows overall system resources to be used more efficiently.

Abstract: A medical vacuum aspiration device includes an aspiration cylinder and a valve. The valve includes a removable fluid conduit, a valve housing having at least first and second housing portions, means for removably attaching the first housing portion to the second housing portion, and an actuator. The removable fluid conduit has a first end for attaching to a cannula and a second end for attaching to the aspiration cylinder. The first and second housing portions may define a cavity for removably holding at least a portion of the fluid conduit. The actuator is coupled to the valve housing and selectively compresses a portion of the fluid conduit to open and close a fluid path defined by the fluid conduit.

Abstract: A method of providing a user the option to accept an incoming call, play a prerecorded message to the incoming party, ignore the incoming call or forward the incoming call to a separate telephone number is disclosed for use when the user is connected, via the same telephone line, to the Internet. The disclosed invention reduces the number of times the incoming call is transferred which reduces the number of reserves used in processing the incoming call. This reduction frees up system resources and allows overall system resources to be used more efficiently.

Abstract: An electronic device for use by users having different levels of skill or intelligence includes a memory configured to store sets of questions, each of the sets of questions being configured to be answerable by the users having different levels of skill or intelligence; and a processor operatively coupled to the memory and configured to present the different sets of questions to the different users having different levels of skill or intelligence during a game in which the different users compete against each other.

Abstract: A method of providing a user the option to accept an incoming call, play a prerecorded message to the incoming party, ignore the incoming call or forward the incoming call to a separate telephone number is disclosed for use when the user is connected, via the same telephone line, to the Internet. The disclosed invention reduces the number of times the incoming call is transferred which reduces the number of reserves used in processing the incoming call. This reduction frees up system resources and allows overall system resources to be used more efficiently.

Abstract: A method of providing a user the option to accept an incoming call, play a prerecorded message to the incoming party, ignore the incoming call or forward the incoming call to a separate telephone number is disclosed for use when the user is connected, via the same telephone line, to the Internet. The disclosed invention reduces the number of times the incoming call is transferred which reduces the number of reserves used in processing the incoming call. This reduction frees up system resources and allows overall system resources to be used more efficiently.

Abstract: Isolated DNA molecules are disclosed corresponding to a novel progestin-regulated gene (PRG1). The PRG1 polypeptide (PRG1) and uses thereof are also described, and include assays for assessing progestin-responsiveness in a subject.

Abstract: A hydraulic solenoid control valve has the capability of operating at high pulse width modulation frequencies due to precision alignment of the armature and freedom from contamination. An alignment tube coupled at one end to one pole piece aligns coaxially with the armature while a non-magnetic bearing coupled to the other end of the alignment tube also aligns coaxially with the armature. Fluid infusion into the armature cavity is prevented by way of the alignment tube which surrounds the armature.