Abstract: During extension, the reamer block of an expandable reamer pushes on an upper plate. Extension is limited by contact with a spring retainer. To adjust the maximum extension of the expandable reamer, a spacer is placed between the expandable block and the spring retainer. The spacer reduces the amount of longitudinal travel of the expandable reamer, thereby reducing the extension of the expandable reamer.

Abstract: During extension, the reamer block of an expandable reamer pushes on an upper plate. Extension is limited by contact with a spring retainer. To adjust the maximum extension of the expandable reamer, a spacer is placed between the expandable block and the spring retainer. The spacer reduces the amount of longitudinal travel of the expandable reamer, thereby reducing the extension of the expandable reamer.

Abstract: An orthodontic hybrid bracket having a body dimensioned and adapted to engage a plurality of surfaces of a posterior tooth, wherein the body terminates proximal of the distal surface of the posterior tooth.

Abstract: During extension, the reamer block of an expandable reamer pushes on an upper plate. Extension is limited by contact with a spring retainer. To adjust the maximum extension of the expandable reamer, a spacer is placed between the expandable block and the spring retainer. The spacer reduces the amount of longitudinal travel of the expandable reamer, thereby reducing the extension of the expandable reamer.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for correcting Class II and Class III malocclusions is disclosed. More specifically, the described orthodontic bite corrector may be installed on multiple points of attachment, including an archwire or an orthodontic band. Preferably, the bite corrector is comprised of a coil spring wrapped around a push rod, the coil spring and a portion of the push rod being contained within a spring housing. A mechanism of attachment is also provided on both the rod and the housing. The mechanism of action is such that the majority of corrective forces are the result of spring expansion, rather than spring compression.

Abstract: An orthodontic brace system includes brackets having a diamond-shaped tie-wing configuration that defines two parallel, horizontal slots, each of which is adapted to receive an archwire. Each slot is angled with respect to the base of the bracket to produce a specific, maximum torque value, and generally, the maximum torque value of the gingival slot is less than the maximum torque value of the incisal slot. The brackets provide multiple force vectors in different directions simultaneously, which decreases the amount of time required for a patient to wear braces, reduces the number of costly and time consuming visits to an orthodontist, and reduces time and effort required of an orthodontist for installation and adjustment of the braces on a per visit basis. A self-ligating bracket with a sliding door is disclosed in another embodiment.

Abstract: An orthodontic brace system includes brackets having a diamond-shaped tie-wing configuration that defines two parallel, horizontal slots, each of which is adapted to receive an archwire. Each slot is angled with respect to the base of the bracket to produce a specific, maximum torque value, and generally, the maximum torque value of the gingival slot is less than the maximum torque value of the incisal slot. The brackets provide multiple force vectors in different directions simultaneously, which decreases the amount of time required for a patient to wear braces, reduces the number of costly and time consuming visits to an orthodontist, and reduces time and effort required of an orthodontist for installation and adjustment of the braces on a per visit basis. A self-ligating bracket with a sliding door is disclosed in another embodiment.

Abstract: An orthodontic brace system includes brackets having a diamond-shaped tie-wing configuration that defines two parallel, horizontal slots, each of which is adapted to receive an archwire. Each slot is angled with respect to the base of the bracket to produce a specific, maximum torque value, and generally, the maximum torque value of the gingival slot is less than the maximum torque value of the incisal slot. The brackets provide multiple force vectors in different directions simultaneously, which decreases the amount of time required for a patient to wear braces, reduces the number of costly and time consuming visits to an orthodontist, and reduces time and effort required of an orthodontist for installation and adjustment of the braces on a per visit basis.

Abstract: System for storing pre-packaged sleep related sensors and facilitating effective, efficient, or error-free usage of the sleep related sensors for sleep diagnostic testing including a thoracic respiratory effort belt, an abdominal effort belt, an oxygen saturation sensor, and a nasal and oral airflow sensor, a receptacle for storing sleep-related sensors, and instruction for using the sleep-related sensors.

Abstract: An apparatus and method can be configured to detect respiratory air temperature information and respiratory air pressure information from a patient using a first piezoelectric film and a second piezoelectric film, wherein at least a portion of the second piezoelectric film overlaps at least a portion of the first piezoelectric film. In an example, the first and second piezoelectric films can be sized and shaped to be disposed on an upper lip of a subject. In certain examples, the first piezoelectric film can include a non-overlap portion exposed to nasal respiration, and the second piezoelectric film can include a non-overlap portion exposed to oral respiration.

Abstract: Buffer management in a network device. A new data packet is received at a packet buffer queue of the network switch, wherein the new data packet is a portion of a burst block. If the packet buffer queue is full, a data packet from within the packet buffer queue that is not a last sequential data packet of a burst block is dropped.

Abstract: System for storing pre-packaged sleep related sensors and facilitating effective, efficient, or error-free usage of the sleep related sensors for sleep diagnostic testing including a thoracic respiratory effort belt, an abdominal effort belt, an oxygen saturation sensor, and a nasal and oral airflow sensor, a receptacle for storing sleep-related sensors, and instruction for using the sleep-related sensors.

Abstract: An apparatus and method can be configured to detect respiratory air temperature information and respiratory air pressure information from a patient using a first piezoelectric film and a second piezoelectric film, wherein at least a portion of the second piezoelectric film overlaps at least a portion of the first piezoelectric film. In an example, the first and second piezoelectric films can be sized and shaped to be disposed on an upper lip of a subject. In certain examples, the first piezoelectric film can include a non-overlap portion exposed to nasal respiration, and the second piezoelectric film can include a non-overlap portion exposed to oral respiration.

Abstract: Buffer management in a network device. A new data packet is received at a packet buffer queue of the network switch, wherein the new data packet is a portion of a burst block. If the packet buffer queue is full, a data packet from within the packet buffer queue that is not a last sequential data packet of a burst block is dropped.

Abstract: The instant invention provides nucleic acid molecules encoding insect acetyl CoA carboxylase, as well as acetyl CoA carboxylase encoded thereby. The invention further provides methods of identifying agents that modulate a level of acetyl CoA carboxylase mRNA, polypeptide, or enzyme activity. Such agents are candidate insecticidal compounds.

Abstract: The instant invention provides nucleic acid molecules encoding insect ethanolamine kinase, as well as ethanolamine kinase encoded thereby. The invention further provides methods of identifying agents that modulate a level of ethanolamine kinase mRNA, polypeptide, or enzyme activity. Such agents are candidate insecticidal compounds.

Abstract: The instant invention provides nucleic acid molecules encoding insect 26/29 cysteine protease, as well as 26/29 cysteine protease encoded thereby. The invention further provides methods of identifying agents that modulate a level of 26/29 cysteine protease mRNA, polypeptide, or enzyme activity. Such agents are candidate insecticidal compounds.

Abstract: The instant invention provides nucleic acid molecules encoding insect ethanolamine kinase, as well as ethanolamine kinase encoded thereby. The invention further provides methods of identifying agents that modulate a level of ethanolamine kinase mRNA, polypeptide, or enzyme activity. Such agents are candidate insecticidal compounds.

Abstract: The invention provides polynucleotides encoding insect glutaminyl cyclase, as well as polypeptides encoded thereby. The invention further provides host cells comprising expression vectors comprising polynucleotides of the invention. Isolated polypeptides and host cells of the invention are useful in methods of screening for agents that reduce glutaminyl cyclase activity. Such agents are useful as pesticides.

Abstract: In a mobile communications system each radio unit (14, 16) is associated with a respective base station (12) as its `home` base station; any radio unit can communicate with any base station in whose service area it is located. Each base station has a radio interface (20) for communication with radio units, a telephone interface (24) for connection to a telephone line, for example via a PABX (44), and a LAN interface (28) for connection to a local area network (40) to which all the base stations are coupled. Voice communications for a handset are always routed through the home base station for that handset, e.g. to another handset or to the PABX, irrespective of the identity of the base station in whose service area the handset is currently located.