Abstract: A cigarette filter for removing gas phase constituents from mainstream cigarette smoke as the smoke is drawn through the filter primarily comprises an activated carbon fiber filter section including a bundle of activated carbon fibers. Particulate adsorbent materials such as granules, beads or course powders may be dispersed amongst the activated carbon fibers to aid in removal of the gas phase constituents. Additionally, the activated carbon fiber filter section may be used in combination with a separate bed or beds of particulate adsorbent material. In one embodiment, the activated carbon fibers are positioned within a helical groove on the outside of a threaded rod within the activated carbon fiber filter section. Relatively smaller amounts of activated carbon fibers produce the same smoke constituent reduction as larger amounts of particulate adsorbent material.

Abstract: An optical intensity control system for use with an optical switch providing individual signal paths between input and output ports. The system has a optical splitters connectable to output multiplexers of the switch and also has variable optical intensity controllers (VOICs) for insertion into the individual signal paths. The VOICs individually control the intensity of optical signals present in the signal paths in accordance with intensity control signals. An equalizer is connected to the splitters and to the VOICS, for producing an estimate of the optical power of each individual switched optical signal and generating the intensity control signals. The equalizer is adapted to controllably isolate individual switched optical signals.

Abstract: A water treatment system comprising a separable water treatment component and a host water treatment apparatus is described. The component is useable in the host apparatus, and has an electronic circuit which is adapted to co-operate with an electronic circuit in the host apparatus. In typical operation, the electronic circuit of the component includes at least a data tag, and the presence of the data tag is identified by the electronic circuit of the host apparatus upon correct fitment and/or installation of the component, which creates a two-way communication protocol. The host apparatus can then upload relevant data from the data tag, etc., and the component's circuit can download the relevant information from the host apparatus. The present invention provides the benefits of electrical co-operation and data tagging.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for receiving, detecting and transmitting geophysical data from a plurality of electrodes placed in the soil utilizing a dynamically reconfigurable wireless control unit that is located on each electrode. Data from the control units is transmitted by a wireless signal to a centralized data processor for analysis. Control data is provided from a central control processor to the control unit by wireless transmission. The control unit, which is positioned, includes a multi-channel radio frequency transmitter/receiver and a processor to actuate relays and record data returns from the measured substrate soil for transmission to the central data processor. The control unit incorporates a changeable code or address to unambiguously identify itself, and its spatial relationship to other electrodes, to the central data processor and the central control processor.

Abstract: A gate latch assembly comprising: (a) a biased latchbolt repositionable between a retracted position and an extended position; (b) a latchbolt catch to receive the latchbolt; and (c) a two-stage mechanism for repositioning the latchbolt from the extended position to the retracted position including a first stage mechanism having a clutch for selectively engaging the latchbolt, and a second stage mechanism for repositioning the latchbolt from the extended position to the retracted position while the clutch is engaged, where the second stage mechanism is repositionable independent of the latchbolt when the clutch is not engaged.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for detecting and transmitting geophysical data from a plurality of electrodes inserted into the soil utilizing a set of identical dynamically reconfigurable voltage control units located on each electrode and connected together by a communications and power cable. A test sequence is provided in each voltage control unit. Each voltage control unit records data measurements for transmission to a central data collector. Each voltage control unit incorporates and determines its positional relationship to other voltage control units by logging when the unit is attached to the electrode. Each voltage control unit I equipped with a magnetic switch for detecting when they are in contact with the electrode.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for receiving, detecting and transmitting geophysical data from a plurality of electrodes placed in the soil utilizing a dynamically reconfigurable wireless control unit that is located on each electrode. Data from the control units is transmitted by a wireless signal to a centralized data processor for analysis. Control data is provided from a central control processor to the control unit by wireless transmission. The control unit, which is positioned, includes a multi-channel radio frequency transmitter/receiver and a processor to actuate relays and record data returns from the measured substrate soil for transmission to the central data processor. The control unit incorporates a changeable code or address to unambiguously identify itself, and its spatial relationship to other electrodes, to the central data processor and the central control processor.

Abstract: A support unit for supporting a user's leg upon a walker includes a support body which is configured to engage and retain a portion of a user's leg and an attachment system for affixing the support body to a walker.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for receiving, detecting and transmitting geophysical data from a plurality of electrodes inserted through a structure's pavement foundation in a non-destructive manner and into the soil utilizing a dynamically reconfigurable wireless control unit located on each electrode. Data from the control units is transmitted by a wireless signal to a centralized data processor for analysis. Control data is provided from a central control processor to the control unit by wireless transmission. The control unit, which is positioned, includes a multi-channel radio frequency transmitter/receiver and a processor to actuate relays and record data returns from the measured substrate soil for transmission to the central data processor. The control unit incorporates a changeable code or address to unambiguously identify itself, and its spatial relationship to other electrodes, to the central data processor and the central control processor.

Abstract: A recording of a lesson on how to play an instrumental portion of a song that has a plurality of song sections and the one or more of the song sections contains the instrumental portion. The lesson comprises instructions how to play the instrumental portion for each song section, and the instructions are arranged in a chronological sequence as the song sections occur in the song. The recording may also include a recording of a recreation of the song, and in an instruction for each song section there is a recording of the recreated song section that occurs at a beginning of the instruction. The recording may also include a recording of the recreated song section that has the instrumental portion removed and can be played back without interruption so a student may play the instrumental portions as the recording is played.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for receiving, detecting and transmitting geophysical data from a plurality of electrodes placed in the soil utilizing a dynamically reconfigurable wireless control unit that is located on each electrode. Data from the control units is transmitted by a wireless signal to a centralized data processor for analysis. Control data is provided from a central control processor to the control unit by wireless transmission. The control unit, which is positioned, includes a multi-channel radio frequency transmitter/receiver and a processor to actuate relays and record data returns from the measured substrate soil for transmission to the central data processor. The control unit incorporates a changeable code or address to unambiguously identify itself, and its spatial relationship to other electrodes, to the central data processor and the central control processor.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes one or more pistons (4), each of which is mounted to reciprocate in a respective cylinder (2) and is pivotably connected to a connecting rod (6) which is connected to a respective crank on a crankshaft (7). The connecting rod (6) is pivotably connected to one end of an elongate link (14), which is pivotably connected to the associated crank at a point intermediate its ends and whose other end constitutes a rod (18) which is restrained by a mounting (20, 24) such that it may pivot about a pivotal axis parallel to the axis of the crankshaft. The mounting includes a first movable mounting member (20) and a second movable mounting member (24). The first mounting member (20) is connected to the rod (18) by a connection which permits only relative sliding movement in the direction of the length of the rod and is pivotally connected to the second mounting member (24) to pivot with respect thereto about the said pivotal axis.

Abstract: The present invention provides gene sets the expression of which is important in the diagnosis and/or prognosis of cancer, in particular of breast cancer.

Abstract: The present application describes adjuvant therapy of nonmetastatic breast cancer using HERCEPTIN®.

Abstract: A system and method of teaching guitar lessons that includes a step of recreating a song at a reduced tempo from its original recording. Each note and/or chord of a particular measure of a song is played at the reduced tempo, then the measure is played and then the entire song section is played. The notes or chords are preferably verbally communicated using a tablature method that identifies the fingers using an index I (index finger), M (middle finger), R(ring finger) and P(pinkie finger). The lesson may be recorded on a medium such as tape, cassette, compact disc or made available for downloading via the Internet. At the end of the lesson a recording of the song is provided with the guitar portion is removed so a student may play the guitar portion of the song.

Abstract: The present invention provides gene expression information useful for predicting whether cancer patients are likely to have a beneficial response to treatment response with chemotherapy.

Abstract: The present invention relates to quantitative molecular indicators that can guide clinical decisions in breast cancer, such as estrogen receptor (ESR1)-positive, lymph node-negative breast cancer. In particular, the invention concerns certain genes, the varied expression of which indicates the likelihood of recurrence of surgically resected breast cancer in patients who are not treated with a therapeutic agent in the adjuvant setting. In addition, the invention concerns the use of quantitative measurement of the expression of certain genes, including the ESR1 gene, that measure as a continuous variable, to determine (a) the likelihood of a beneficial response to the anti-estrogen therapeutic agent, such as tamoxifen; and (b) the potential magnitude of beneficial response to chemotherapy.

Abstract: A method for pre-funding is disclosed. The method includes sending a plurality of pre-fund authorization requests to a buyer financial institution, and then receiving a plurality of responses to the pre-fund authorization requests from the buyer financial institution, where each response either accepts or declines a pre-fund authorization request. A funds transfer request is sent to the buyer financial institution, where the funds transfer request corresponds to a total value of the accepted pre-fund authorization requests. Notification that funds have transferred from the buyer financial institution in response to the funds transfer request is received. Then, the sending of the funds to a supplier financial institution is authorized.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of combining various types of data and software in order to arrive at a composite graphical representation of a construction site, including surface and subsurface features. A 2-D or 3-D graph of subsurface contoured surfaces is created. A 3-D wire-frame model of surface and subsurface features is created. Aerial photographs of the site can be incorporated and the aerial photographs contoured surfaces and wire-frame model are to produce a complete Visual Reduction Modeling Language (VRML) model of both surface and subsurface features. The VRML model allows the user to identify and visualize a relationship between sub-surface features and above ground features.

Abstract: The present invention may include a separation tank with an outer chamber and an inner chamber positioned within the outer chamber. An inlet and an outlet may be in communication with the outer chamber. A first opening may provide access between the inner chamber and the outer chamber. An inlet channel may extend between the inlet to a second opening in the inner chamber. A plurality of lower baffles positioned between the outer chamber and the inner chamber and adjacent to the first opening may be included. A plurality of upper baffles positioned between the outer chamber and the inner chamber and adjacent to the outlet may be included. Floating and non-floating particulate matter may be trapped in the separation tank as storm water flows through the apparatus.