Abstract: In a camera provided with an instrument supporting frame, with which a light projecting device or a light receiving device of an automatic focusing apparatus are combined at a predetermined position, a retaining piece, which is capable of elastically pushing and holding the light projecting device or the light receiving device at the predetermined position, is formed through integral molding together with the instrument supporting frame. The device is held by the retaining piece at the predetermined position and is adhered in this state to the instrument supporting frame by use of an adhesive agent.

Abstract: Disclosed and claimed are cocoa extracts such as polyphenols or procyanidins, methods for preparing such extracts, as well as uses for them, especially as antineoplastic agents and antioxidants. Disclosed and claimed are antineoplastic compositions containing cocoa polyphenols or procyanidins and methods for treating patients employing the compositions. Additionally disclosed and claimed is a kit for treating a patient in need of treatment with an antineoplastic agent containing cocoa polyphenols or procyanidins as well as a lyophilized antineoplastic composition containing cocoa polyphenols or procyanidins. Further, disclosed and claimed is the use of the invention in antioxidant, preservative and topiosomerase-inhibiting compositions and methods.

Abstract: Cocoa components having enhanced levels of cocoa polyphenols, processes for producing the cocoa components while conserving a significant amount of the cocoa polyphenols, compositions containing the cocoa components or the cocoa polyphenols, and methods of using the cocoa components or the cocoa polyphenols for improving the health of a mammal are described. The cocoa components include partially and fully defatted cocoa solids, cocoa nibs and fractions derived therefrom, cocoa polyphenol extracts, cocoa butter, chocolate liquors, and mixtures thereof. The invention provides processes for extracting fat from cocoa beans and for otherwise processing cocoa beans to yield a cocoa component having conserved concentrations of polyphenols relative to the starting materials.

Abstract: An apparatus for self-serve checkout of large order purchases is provided. The apparatus includes one or more product code entry devices for entering a product code of an item to be purchased, a controller and a carousel assembly that includes a rotating mechanism, a rack coupled with the rotating mechanism, and a scale underneath the rotating mechanism and rack. The rack holds a plurality of bags open for packing a plurality of items, and may be rotated along with the rotating mechanism to present a select one of the bags for packing the item to be purchased. The scale provides a weight signal corresponding to a weight of packed items in the plurality of bags on the carousel. The controller monitors the weight signal to detect any abnormal weights or weight changes. The apparatus also may be provided with a large item holding assembly that includes a second scale which provides a second weight signal corresponding to the weight of one or more oversized items on the large item holding assembly.

Abstract: A method and system for computer-aided design and more particularly to the computer-aided design of sheet parts is presented. The method includes defining a feature in a definition view based on a specification defined by a user and generating the feature in the definition view. The alternative view is then updated. This updating includes analyzing the defined feature to determine if it can be made available to an alternative view, and representing the defined feature in the alternative view. The definition view and the alternative view include a folded view and an unfolded view.

Abstract: A system for communicating over a transmission line has a plurality of transceivers, each for generating an information signal for transmission over the transmission line and for reception of an information signal transmitted thereto over the transmission line. A device couples each transceiver to the transmission line. The device includes a ferrite core surrounding the transmission line and at least one winding extending through the core and connected to the transceiver. As a result, the current signal corresponding to a generated information signal, as applied to the transmission line during transmission, and a current signal corresponding to a transmitted information signal is received From the transmission line during reception.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for the production of polyphenol oligomers having n polyphenol monomeric units, n being an integer from 2-18. The process includes coupling of a protected polyphenol, having protected phenolic hydroxyl groups, with a C-4 functionalized polyphenol monomer. The protected polyphenol may be a protected polyphenol monomer or a protected polyphenol oligomer having 2-17 monomeric units. Advantageously, polyphenol monomeric units forming the polyphenol oligomers may be the same or different flavanoid compounds.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of cocoa procyanidins in combination with an aspirin as an anti-platelet therapy and compositions comprising cocoa procyanidins and aspirin (acetylsalicyclic acid).

Abstract: A method and system for optimizing the placement of a robot in a workplace so as to minimize cycle time is defined. A modified simulated annealing method (SA) is applied to the problem of robot placement in CAD systems, in the context of welding tasks. The objective function for optimization is cycle time, which can be obtained from available robotic CAD software. The research domains are simplified, and the SA method is applied to yield an optimal or near-optimal solution to each problem. To obtain the optimal placement of the robot, the research domain is first simplified by determining an acceptable base location domain, then obstacle shadows, which are subtracted from the previous domain to give the free acceptable base location domain. A modified SA method is applied to this domain, using task feasibility tests before simulating the cycle time, in order to save CPU time.

Abstract: A powder of dicalcium silicate is made by spray drying calcia and silica with incorporation of sodium and phosphorus or stabilized zirconia. The spray dried powder is sintered to form a thermal spray powder. Sprayed coatings have a web of interconnected, randomly oriented microcracks substantially perpendicular to the coating surface. The coatings are stable in thermal cycling and a hot corrosive environment.

Abstract: Disclosed and claimed are cocoa extracts such as polyphenols or procyanidins, methods for preparing such extracts, as well as uses for them, especially as antineoplastic agents and antioxidants. Disclosed and claimed are antineoplastic compositions containing cocoa polyphenols or procyanidins and methods for treating patients employing the compositions. Additionally disclosed and claimed is a kit for treating a patient in need of treatment with an antineoplastic agent containing cocoa polyphenols or procyanidins as well as a lyophilized antineoplastic composition containing cocoa polyphenols or procyanidins. Further, disclosed and claimed is the use of the invention in antioxidant, preservative and topiosomerase-inhibiting compositions and methods.

Abstract: A curriculum scheduling method includes receiving input data identifying target subject matter, processing the input data to determine an educational standard associated with the target subject matter, querying a database to determine curricula that supports (i.e., contains lessons relevant to) the educational standard, receiving from the user a selection of at least one curricula item from among the determined curricula, and allocated time periods for participation in presentation of the selected curricula item(s). The educational standard may include a group of requirements and the database may be queried based on a requirements selected by the user.

Abstract: A computerized order centric method and system for tracking orders implemented on a trading floor exchange. The system automatically routes orders to a booth and a floor broker according to a symbol associated with the particular security being traded. The method for processing an order for a security on the floor of an exchange includes representing a security with a symbol and allocating a set of symbols to a booth. In addition a set of symbols is allocated to a floor broker ID. An order, relating to a symbol is entered into a computer and transmitting to a computer server. The order is routed through the server to a computerized booth station associated with the booth to which the order symbol had been allocated. In addition, the order is routed through the server to the floor broker ID to which the symbol associated with the order has been allocated. Typically the floor broker ID is logged into a computerized handheld device.

Abstract: A computer system operation method for allowing a user to work on interrelated documents includes forming groups of software tools. Different groups of software tools are used to perform different tasks on documents in a software system. Documents in the software system have different document types. The document types are functionally associated with the different groups of software tools. The method monitors a user's selection of a second group of software tools, when the user is using a first workbench to work on data contained in a first document. The method invokes a second document, upon the user's selection of a second group of software tools. The second document is of a document type that is associated with the second workbench.

Abstract: Oligomeric procyanidins containing 4&agr;-linked epicatechin units are rare in nature and have hitherto not been accessible through stereoselective synthesis. Provided herein is the preparation of the prototypical dimer, epicatechin-4&agr;,8-epicatechin, by reaction of the protected 4-ketones with aryllithium reagents derived by halogen/metal exchange from the aryl bromides. Removal of the 4-hydroxyl group from the resulting tertiary benzylic alcohols is effected by tri-n-butyltin hydride and trifluoroacetic acid in a completely stereoselective manner, resulting in hydride delivery exclusively from the &bgr; face.

Abstract: A hand held terminal has a display, a keying input, a printer, a processor for receiving information from the keying input and for directing information onto the display and to the printer and a housing for the keying input, display and processor. The printer is directly mechanically connected to the housing and the printer is a sheet fed printer.