Abstract: A portable pet booster seat apparatus is provided which is adapted to be fitted securely on the seat of a vehicle. The booster seat includes a base, a back, a front and side portions that are all interconnected. A strap is provided that extends across the back and/or base of the includes a base portion which includes attachment fittings that are adapted to be fitted to the attachment brackets of a LATCH infant seat device. The booster seat apparatus may also include an additional strap for use in attaching the device to vehicle seats not fitted with the LATCH device. The portable pet booster seat apparatus may also include a removable and replaceable cover assembly. The booster seat apparatus is attached to the seat at or near the base of the booster seat, and thus has improved stability. It can also be more firmly attached to the vehicle seat and is less likely to move or shift during use.

Abstract: Micropipe-free, single crystal, silicon carbide (SiC) and related methods of manufacture are disclosed. The SiC is grown by placing a source material and seed material on a seed holder in a reaction crucible of the sublimation system, wherein constituent components of the sublimation system including the source material, reaction crucible, and seed holder are substantially free from unintentional impurities. By controlling growth temperature, growth pressure, SiC sublimation flux and composition, and a temperature gradient between the source material and the seed material or the SiC crystal growing on the seed material during the PVT process, micropipe-inducing process instabilities are eliminated and micropipe-free SiC crystal is grown on the seed material.

Abstract: Micropipe-free, single crystal, silicon carbide (SiC) and related methods of manufacture are disclosed. The SiC is grown by placing a source material and seed material on a seed holder in a reaction crucible of the sublimation system, wherein constituent components of the sublimation system including the source material, reaction crucible, and seed holder are substantially free from unintentional impurities. By controlling growth temperature, growth pressure, SiC sublimation flux and composition, and a temperature gradient between the source material and the seed material or the SiC crystal growing on the seed material during the PVT process, micropipe-inducing process instabilities are eliminated and micropipe-free SiC crystal is grown on the seed material.

Abstract: A laparoscopic surgical device is provided, including a ratchet mechanism. The ratchet mechanism includes a single button or lever that may be used to release or defeat a ratchet engagement.

Abstract: A modular integrated software and hardware suite can accept data exported from a voter registration database corresponding to requests for mail ballots, sort the data as necessary for ballot preparation, create a road map for ballot mailing preparation, provide for mail presorting, scan returned ballot envelopes using a ballot envelope scanner, and accept data from the scanner. The scanner uses a passive feed system, a separator brush, and a variable speed straight paper path to minimize jamming through the ballot envelope scanner. The scanner can work with a workstation application to interpret a barcode, store an image of the ballot envelope signature in association with a specific voter, print an endorsement on each verified ballot envelope, and store the endorsement with the signature image. The scanner can divert ballot envelopes with unrecognizable or unmatched barcodes to a separate tray for manual processing.

Abstract: A method of producing a high quality bulk single crystal of silicon carbide in a seeded growth system is disclosed. The method includes positioning the seed crystal in a crucible while exerting minimal torsional forces on the seed crystal to thereby prevent torsional forces from warping or bowing the seed crystal in a manner that that would otherwise encourage sublimation from the rear of the seed crystal or undesired thermal differences across the seed crystal.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for producing a high quality bulk single crystal of silicon carbide in a seeded growth system by reducing the separation between a silicon carbide seed crystal and a seed holder until the conductive heat transfer between the seed crystal and the seed holder dominates the radiative heat transfer between the seed crystal and the seed holder over substantially the entire seed crystal surface that is adjacent the seed holder.

Abstract: A high quality single crystal wafer of SiC is disclosed having a diameter of at least about 100 mm and a micropipe density of less than about 25 cm?2.

Abstract: The present invention relates to denture adhesive composition that can be dispensed from a tube, syringe and/or a pump comprising a safe and effective adhesive amount of a denture adhesive component; and a safe and effective amount of a water insoluble component selected from the group consisting of a water insoluble thermoplastic component, a water insoluble liquid component, and mixtures thereof; wherein the composition comprises a normalized ooze amount of about 0.001% to about 40%, or a ooze ratio from about 0.001 to about 0.7.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a denture adhesive article comprising: a) a safe and effective adhesive amount of a homogeneous, bioerodible mixture of a denture adhesive component and a safe and effective amount of a water insoluble (e.g. thermoplastic) component; and b) at least one non-adhesive self supporting substrate.

Abstract: The present invention relates to denture adhesive compositions comprising a safe and effective adhesive amount of a denture adhesive component; a safe and effective amount of a component selected from the group consisting of a water insoluble thermoplastic component, a water insoluble liquid component, water-soluble thermoplastic component, water-soluble liquid component, and mixtures thereof; wherein the composition comprises a normalized dislodgement force of from about 1100 to about 12,000 grams per sq.cm. and/or a dislodgement force ratio from about 1.1 to about 10.

Abstract: An anesthesia equipment lift which couples to a table to provide an anesthesia equipment mount surface coupled to a lift element which travels from a first location to a second location to position mounted inhalation anesthesia equipment proximate to a patient located on the table surface to perform inhalation anesthesia.

Abstract: The invention is a method of inspecting a semiconductor wafer surface for scratches. The method includes positioning a semiconductor wafer for illumination by a radiation source and adjacent a background material that will absorb radiation from the radiation source, directing radiation at a surface of the wafer from the radiation source that has a wavelength that will be absorbed by the fundamental absorption of the wafer, filtering or otherwise limiting the radiation to allow only radiation having wavelengths that are absorbed by the fundamental absorption of the wafer to pass, and detecting radiation scattered on the surface of the wafer and filtered, by position, to thereby identify the location of the scratches on the surface of the wafer, while the absorption of the background material prevents other radiation from the source from interfering with the detection of the scratch-scattered radiation.

Abstract: A high quality single crystal wafer of SiC is disclosed. The wafer has a diameter of at least about 3 inches, a warp of less than about 5 ?m, a bow less than about 5 ?m, and a total thickness variation of less than about 2.0 ?m.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for producing a high quality bulk single crystal of silicon carbide in a seeded growth system and in the absence of a solid silicon carbide source, by reducing the separation between a silicon carbide seed crystal and a seed holder until the conductive heat transfer between the seed crystal and the seed holder dominates the radiative heat transfer between the seed crystal and the seed holder over substantially the entire seed crystal surface that is adjacent the seed holder.

Abstract: Methods for treatment and prevention of disorders resulting from hypertension of neck and shoulder muscles, in particular hypertension of the scalenius muscles, comprise administering a training regime to a subject suffering from the disorders, whereby the training regime comprises manipulating an object while maintaining a pinch-grip force exerted by the fingers on the object below a given threshold value. The object preferably has a pressure sensor that generates a signal when the pinch-grip force exceeds the threshold value. The object may be a writing instrument whereby the training may comprise writing exercises.

Abstract: The invention is an improvement in the method of producing a high quality bulk single crystal of silicon carbide in a seeded sublimation system. In a first embodiment, the improvement comprises reducing the number of macrosteps in a growing crystal by incorporating a high concentration of nitrogen atoms in the initial one (1) millimeter of crystal growth.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for producing a high quality bulk single crystal of silicon carbide in a seeded growth system. The method includes positioning a seed crystal on the seed holder with a low porosity backing material that provides a vapor barrier to silicon carbide sublimation from the seed and that minimizes the difference in thermal conductivity between the seed and the backing material to minimize or eliminate temperature differences across the seed and likewise minimize or eliminate vapor transport from the rear of the seed that would otherwise initiate and propagate defects in the growing crystal.

Abstract: A data processing system and method archive, retrieve, and store electronic messages in a communication system, such as the Internet. The data processing system and methodology convert electronic mail messages to HTML documents, or web pages to provide greater flexibility for users of the communication system. By storing electronic mail messages as web pages, each of the mail messages may become a page or a group of pages in a “web” using the HTML format. Alternatively, only a portion of the mail messages could be converted to an alternate format. During operation of the data processing system and methodology, individual pieces of electronic mail are assigned to a corresponding URL. The mail messages are then organized into categories of web pages, that may be accessed using the full capabilities of currently available and evolving network tools, such as browsers.

Abstract: A reflective bracket for a radiant refrigerator defroster includes a channel fabricated from a reflective material and a plurality of ventilation openings through the sides and bottom of the channel. The ventilation openings reduce the operating temperature of the heater element, improve convection heating of a refrigerator evaporator, and allow direct line-of sight heating of evaporator compartment components.