Abstract: A machine and method of stretching and exercising the human body, specifically the head, neck, and upper shoulder region. The machine employs three separate user-controlled actuators to allow the user to move and adjust her head, neck, and upper shoulders to almost limitless positions and with utmost precision, thereby effectively stretching and exercising the user's occipital region to achieve the desired comfort level. Because the user is in control of the precise actuator movements, and hence the exact positioning of her occipital region, the machine is much easier and safer to operate and more effective than other exercise and/or physical strengthening devices.

Abstract: A gabion 10 comprising side walls 12 defining a cavity 20 suitable for retaining a quantity of fill material 36 and a base 14 connected to at least one side wall 12 for substantially closing the bottom of the gabion 10, said base 14 comprising two or more apertures 27 defining channels 22 arranged to receive lifting means therethrough.

Abstract: A computer research tool for indexing, searching and displaying data is disclosed. Specifically, a computer research tool for performing computerized research of data including textual objects in a database or a network and for providing a user interface that significantly enhances data presentation is described. Textual objects and other data in a database or network is indexed by creating a numerical representation of the data. The indexing technique called proximity indexing generates a quick-reference of the relations, patterns and similarity found among the data in the database. Proximity indexing indexes the data by using statistical techniques and empirically developed algorithms.

Abstract: A system and process for maximizing the generation of electrical power from a variety of hydrocarbon feedstocks. The hydrocarbon feedstocks are first gasified and then oxidized in a two-chamber system and process using oxygen gas rather than ambient air. Intermediate gases generated in the system and process are recirculated and recycled to the gasification and oxidation chambers in order to maximize energy production. The energy produced through the system and process is used to generate steam and produce power through conventional steam turbine technology. In addition to the release of heat energy, the hydrocarbon feedstocks are oxidized to the pure product compounds of water and carbon dioxide, which are subsequently purified and marketed. The system and process minimizes environmental emissions.

Abstract: The present invention provides a safety shield that can be fitted in an electrical receptacle, such as an outlet or a ground fault circuit interrupter, to cover the plug blade slots on the electrical receptacle. The safety shield comprises a base box containing a left sliding block, a right sliding block, small sliding block, and elastic components. If the plug blades are not inserted into the plug blade slots, the safety shield covers the plug blade slots to prevent unwanted objects from getting in touch with the electrical contacts within the plug blade slots causing electrical shock or damage to humans. If the plug blades are inserted into the plug blade slots, the elastic components within the base box are compressed to move the left sliding block outward to the left and the right sliding block outwards to the right so as to open the plug blade slots.

Abstract: An external fixation device and method, which is designed for the setting and corrective treatment of bone fractures. More particularly, the provision is made for an external orthopaedic wrist fixation device for the setting and corrective treatment of bone fractures which may be encountered in the distal radial portion of the forearm of a patient, through the utilization of novel cross pin arrangements extending through the site of the fracture for fracture fixation and with the absence of the risks and discomfort of encountered Ligamentotaxis.

Abstract: The present invention provides an in vitro flavonoid-rich rhizome tissue of Neomarica gracilis, which is obtained from a tissue culture preparation of an N. gracilis tissue capable of proliferating, such as a root, a leaf, a basal portion of a leaf, and/or a rhizome. The in vitro flavonoid-rich rhizome tissue of N. gracilis contains tectorigenin, which is distinctively different from the naturally grown rhizome of N. gracilis which contains no tectorigenin. The present invention further provides a method for cultivating the in vitro flavonoid-rich rhizome tissue, a method for extracting the tectorigenin from the flavonoid-rich rhizome tissue, and quantitative methods for determining the amount of tectorigenin in the in vitro flavonoid-rich rhizome tissue.

Abstract: Compositions, kits and methods for the prevention of, for example, spontaneous abortion, preeclampsia, preterm labor or implantation failure during assisted reproduction are provided. The compositions, kits and methods provide an effective amount of granulocyte colony stimulating factor to prevent, for example, spontaneous abortion, preeclampsia, preterm labor or implantation failure of an embryo.

Abstract: A guard ring structure for use in a semiconductor device. The guard ring structure includes a semiconductor layer stack having a first layer and a second layer on top of the first layer, gates structures formed in the first layer; and guard rings formed in the first layer. The second layer has a dopant concentration that is higher than the dopant concentration of the first layer. The gates and the guard rings are formed simultaneously using a single mask.

Abstract: A bore seal for connecting and sealing oil and gas tubular members is disclosed which has a metal core manufactured from a high yield strength ferrous material and a protective overlay of corrosion and abrasion resistant stainless steel and/or nickel based alloy. The protective overlay is applied to the entire outer surface of the bore seal by a metal thermal spray process, such as plasma thermal spraying. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the bore seal has a fishtail profile which facilitates the use of resilient seals to provide resistance to external pressures in addition to the traditional metal-to-metal seal between the bore seal and the tubular members. In an alternative embodiment, a pressure relief valve is disposed within the bore seal to verify the integrity of the metal-to-metal seal with respect to internal bore pressure.

Abstract: An LTCC (low temperature cofired ceramic) structure which has conductors to which leads are to be bonded for connection to external circuitry. The conductors include additives to promote adhesion to the ceramic layer. The presence of these additives degrade bonding performance. For better bondability of the leads, a pure conductor metal layer, devoid of the additives is placed on the conductors in areas where leads are to be bonded. This pure conductor metal layer may be cofired with the stack of ceramic layers or may be post fired after stack firing.

Abstract: A memory access scheme employing one or more sets of shift registers interconnected in series to which data may be loaded from or written into one or more memory devices. That is, data from the memory devices may be parallel loaded into the sets of shift registers and then serially shifted through the shift registers until it is output from the sets of shift registers and transferred to its destination. Additionally, the data may be read from and loaded into the memory devices to/from the sets of shift registers such that the shifting of the shift registers is uninterrupted during the reading and/or loading of data. Additionally, data from the memory devices may be loaded into two or more parallel chains of shift registers and then serially shifted through the shift register chains.

Abstract: A method for secure identity processing using biometrics is provided. A public key and a unique serial number are received from a BIOTOKEN. A random number is generated. The random number and the unique serial number are transmitted to the BIOTOKEN. A serial number received from the BIOTOKEN is compared with the unique serial number and if there is a match, an encrypted symmetric key, transmitted by the BIOTOKEN, is decrypted using the public key. An encrypted random number and encrypted biometric data associated with a user are decrypted using the decrypted symmetric key. The decrypted random number is compared with the transmitted random number, if there is a match, the decrypted biometric data is validated and the received serial number and the public key are transmitted to a certification authority if the biometric data is validated. An authentication certificate associated with the BIOTOKEN is issued by the certification authority.

Abstract: The present invention provides an in vitro resveratrol-rich callus tissue of Vitis thunbergii Sieb. et Zucc. which is a callus tissue developed from a tissue culture system containing one or more plant growth regulators (PGRs) and cultured from a stem or a petiole tissue explant of a wild type of V. thunbergii or a cultivated plantlet of V. thunbergii. The cultivated plantlet is in turn derived from a shoot of the wild type of V. thunbergii cultivated in a plantlet culture system containing no PGRs. The in vitro resveratrol-rich callus tissue of V. thunbergii is characterized by its containing at least about 1,000 to 10,000 mg/kg of dried weight of resveratrol, predominantly in the form of trans-resveratrol and/or resveratrol-O-glucoside, and being ready for harvest or subculture in about 30 days.

Abstract: A rotary shaft sealing assembly in which a first fluid is partitioned from a second fluid in a housing assembly having a rotary shaft located at least partially within. In one embodiment a lip seal is lubricated and flushed with a pressure-generating seal ring preferably having an angled diverting feature. The pressure-generating seal ring and a hydrodynamic seal may be used to define a lubricant-filled region with each of the seals having hydrodynamic inlets facing the lubricant-filled region. Another aspect of the sealing assembly is having a seal to contain pressurized lubricant while withstanding high rotary speeds. Another rotary shaft sealing assembly embodiment includes a lubricant supply providing a lubricant at an elevated pressure to a region between a lip seal and a hydrodynamic seal with a flow control regulating the flow of lubricant past the lip seal.

Abstract: An exemplary edge termination structure maintains the breakdown voltage of the semiconductor device after it has been sawed off the wafer and packaged by creating an electric field stop layer at a periphery of the semiconductor device. The electric field stop layer has a dopant concentration higher than that of the layer in which an edge termination is implemented, such as a drift layer or a channel layer. The electric field stop layer may be created by selectively masking the peripheries of the device during the device processing, i.e., mesa etch, to protect and preserve the highly doped material at the peripheries of the device.

Abstract: A curled transistor comprises a coiled semiconductor substrate having a plurality of concentrically curled layers. Source and drain regions are configured on a portion of the coiled semiconductor substrate, and a gate dielectric is positioned between the source and drain regions. A first set of metallic contacts electrically couple to the source region on the coiled semiconductor substrate and a second set of metallic contacts electrically couple to the drain region on the coiled semiconductor substrate.