Abstract: A washable or disposable nursing pad with an augmented lower region primarily for nighttime use comprising a first two to twenty layers of a washable absorbent fabric or a disposable paper-like sheet material with a second two to twenty layers of the same materials, but smaller in size than the first two to twenty layers of material, sewn in between on the lower region of the pad. The pad is large enough to cover substantially the entire female breast and to fill substantially the typical bra cup.

Abstract: Pectins from gel and rind cell wall fibers of Aloe vera are extracted, isolated and identified. Two classes of Aloe pectin are obtained: the high-molecular-weight (HMW) pectin and the low-molecular-weight (LMW) pectin. Aloe pectins have a low methoxyl (LM) content. Aloe pectins form gel in the presence of calcium, and they, especially, the HMW pectin, form monovalent cation-based gels at low temperature, which revert back to solution when brought to room temperature. The HMW Aloe pectin-calcium gel is used for controlled release. The monovalent cation-based gel is used as a matrix for storing pharmacological substances and also for antigen and antibody precipitation reaction.

Abstract: The "Temperature compensation method for semiconductor wafers in rapid thermal processor using properly designed heat conducting pads as susceptors" is a new temperature compensation concept suitable for rapid thermal processor without uniform temperature distributions. By proper design of heat conducting pads, one can make the semiconductor wafers have uniform temperature distribution in a non-uniform heated rapid thermal processor. This is a very simple and cheap method for solving the temperature non-uniformity problem in the rapid thermal processor.

Abstract: A bifurcated method to process an aloe whole leaf by processing the aloe fillet and the aloe rind separately and subsequently combine the products from these separate processes, and the use of the final combined product.

Abstract: A signal processing apparatus and method for measuring a mass flow rate of a fluid flowing in conjunction with a surface of a Coriolis mass flow meter and a field-provable Coriolis mass flow meter. The apparatus includes: (1) a driver for creating a prescribed vibration in the surface, (2) a motion sensor for measuring a motion of the surface, (3) response characteristic determination circuitry, coupled to the motion sensor, for determining a response characteristic of the surface and (4) flow rate calculation circuitry, coupled to the response characteristic determination circuitry, for calculating a measured mass flow rate of the fluid as a function of the motion and the response characteristic. The field-provable meter employs the response characteristic to monitor or compare meter performance without requiring a separate proving device.

Abstract: A system for, and method of, achieving heterogeneous data flow between first and second algorithm blocks in a control system, and a distributed, real-time process control system employing the system or the method. In one embodiment, the system includes: (1) a passive connection, associated with a control module containing the second algorithm block, that provides for the communication of data from the first algorithm block to the second algorithm block without requiring the allocation of connector resources within the second algorithm block; and (2) an active connection, associated with the second algorithm block, that provides for the communication of data from the first algorithm block to the second algorithm block using dedicated connector resources within the second algorithm block, the control system thereby capable of providing data to the second algorithm block through both passive and active connections.

Abstract: In a financial institution accounting system, a system for, and method of, determining an optimal sweep threshold parameter for a demand deposit account ("DDA"), the DDA having a sub-DDA contra-account and a sub-money market account ("sub-MMA") associated therewith.

Abstract: A system for, and method of, providing encapsulated and performance-efficient data references in an object-oriented controller and a distributed, real time process control system employing the system or the method. In one embodiment, the system includes: (1) a client algorithm block that generates a request for an address to enable the client algorithm block to gain direct access to data stored at the address and (2) a supplier algorithm block, that receives and evaluates the request and: (2a) if the supplier algorithm block grants the request, communicates the address to the client algorithm block, allowing the client algorithm block to gain direct access to the data and (2b) if the supplier algorithm block denies the request, withholds the address, forcing the client algorithm block to gain indirect access to the data.

Abstract: A packing box made from a patterned cardboard having a bottom panel, a top panel, two side panels, a front panel, and a rear panel, wherein a rectangular bottom frame is extended from one long side of the bottom panel remote from the front panel, having two adhesion flaps respectively extended from one long side and one short side thereof and adhered to the bottom panel at an outer side, defining with the bottom panel a bottom window and an insertion hole at one side for the insertion of a card into the bottom window; a rectangular top frame is extended from one long side of one side panel remote from the bottom panel, having two adhesion flaps respectively extended from one long side and one short side thereof and adhered to the top panel at an outer side, defining with the top panel a top window and an insertion hole at one side for the insertion of a card into the top window.

Abstract: In the field of Coriolis mass flow meters, determination of the true zero of the meter has always been problematic due to zero drift effects with changing boundary conditions and fluid parameters. Disclosed are apparatus and methods for determining the true mass flow related component of the signal of the meter separately from errors caused by changing boundary conditions and fluid parameters.

Abstract: Methods of manufacturing a liquid crystal display ("LCD"); specifically, a multi-color LCD, e.g., a red-green-blue ("RGB") LCD. The methods include the steps of: (1) depositing a twist agent on a first substrate, the twist agent becoming an in situ twist agent, (2) bringing a second substrate into proximity with the first substrate to form at least one interstitial region between the second and first substrates, (3) introducing liquid crystal ("LC") having an initial pitch into the at least one interstitial region proximate the in situ twist agent and (4) stimulating the LC and the in situ twist agent to cause the LC and the in situ twist agent to mix in situ, the in situ twist agent changing the initial pitch of the LC.

Abstract: An electronic system and method for providing advance notification of a potential return that may occur when a presenting financial institution ("FI") eventually presents an item for payment to a paying FI in a subsequent paper-based presentment process.

Abstract: A method of displaying graphical data on a display device of a computer system and a computer system employing the method.

Abstract: In this invention, we introduce a connection indexing algorithm for realizing the arithmetic coding in finite wordlength processors. By determining the number of encoded information bits according to a difference between the finite wordlength and a residual termination parameter defined by the maximum difference of the information bits of any two adjacent symbols in the ordered-probabilities symbols set, the information of the last symbol is split into the current and the subsequent finite length codewords. The two or three encoded symbols split into the current and the subsequent finite length codewords are decoded independently, and the indices thereof are added to form a decoded symbol having an index equal to a sum of the addition.

Abstract: A cholesteric liquid crystal display ("LCD") and methods of operating and manufacturing the LCD. The LCD includes: (1) a controllable cholesteric liquid crystal (CLC) located between first and second substrates, the controllable CLC selectively exhibiting an "on" state and an "off" state and having a circular polarity of a predetermined handedness when the controllable CLC is in the "on" state and (2) a circular polarizer, located proximate the first substrate and having a circular polarity of a particular handedness, that cooperates with the controllable CLC to increase the difference between the relative brightness of the "on" state and the "off" state, whereby a contrast ratio of the cholesteric LCD is increased.

Abstract: Acemannan has been shown to be effective in treating a number of conditions where the principal mechanism of resolution or cure requires intervention by the patient's immune system. Acemannan has direct stimulatory effects on the immune system. Methods for treating cancer, viral diseases, respiratory and immune regulatory diseases, inflammations, infections and infestations by administering an acetylated mannan derivative, such as acemannan derived from aloe, are described. The method finds use in tissue cultures, animals and plants.

Abstract: Cancer cells are blocked from entering differentiation pathways because of abnormal methylation enzymes, which are responsible for keeping cancer cells in cycling state. Effective differentiation inducers are those capable of acting directly or indirectly to convert abnormal methylation enzymes into normal enzymes, thereby enabling cancer cells to undergo terminal differentiation. Differentiation employing inducer alone often can not reach completion because of the damage created by the inducer. Such damage can be prevented if differentiation is induced in the presence of helper inducers, which are basically inhibitors of the component enzymes of methylation. Thus, differentiation induced in the presence of helper inducers is more likely to reach completion. Therefore, helper inducers are essential components of differentiation therapy, not just merely to potentiate the activity of differentiation inducers.

Abstract: A rapid and linear scanning optical delay line was attained by the use of a helicoid reflecting mirror which was spun by a DC servo motor for bringing about a periodic change in the optical path length of the reflected light beam. The double-pass scanning range of the delay time as large as 80 picosecond was attained by the scanning optical delay line having a helicoid reflecting mirror having 12 mm in pitch distance. The scanning optical delay line was used in an optical second-harmonic generation autocorrelator, which was thus capable of scanning successfully a picosecond optical pulse train. A real-time scanning of the picosecond laser pulse of a mode-locked Titanium:Sapphire was verified.

Abstract: Disclosed are an improved electronic check presentment ("ECP") system having a non-ECP exceptions notification system incorporated therein and a method of electronically communicating data pertaining to non-ECP exceptions.

Abstract: Method for reducing symptoms associated with multiple sclerosis in an animal by administering to the animal an effective amount of an acetylated polymeric mannan derivative.