Abstract: An article of print media that includes an electronic module that has at least one chip for storing data and for controlling the electronic module and first means for closing the electronic module such that at least a first video is shown.

Abstract: A method for providing orthodontic therapy. The method includes the steps of providing a kit that includes an enclosure and tools and components for providing orthodontic therapy using braces to a single patient, applying the braces to the single patient's teeth using the tools, placing the tools back into the kit, storing the kit, and reusing the kit at all of the single patient's subsequent visits during the term of the orthodontic therapy.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for imaging the mechanical properties of a tissue region from within an endocavity of a patient. The apparatus generally comprises an ultrasound probe, a vibration assembly translationally coupled to probe and operable to vibrate the probe along a vibration plane, and a rotation assembly rotationally coupled to the vibration assembly and operable to rotate the probe and vibration assembly about a selected rotational range. The method generally comprises inserting an ultrasound probe into an endocavity of a patient, vibrating the probe along a vibration plane thereby causing deformational excitement of a tissue region contacted by the probe, capturing a first series of ultrasound images of the tissue region, rotating the vibration plane relative to the tissue region by a selected angular rotation, and capturing a second series of ultrasound images of the tissue region.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for delineating the contour of an object in captured medical images by first transforming the shape of the object into a simple geometric shape that is more computationally tractable than the shape of the object. After the contour of the transformed shape is detected, the inverse of the transformation is applied to the contour such that it represents the contour of the object in the captured medical image.

Abstract: A method of enhancing visual aspect stability in wooden substrates comprised of the steps of preparing a sealing composition by mixing thermosetting resins and hardener, applying said sealing composition onto the surface of a wooden substrate; and curing said polymer. The method may additionally comprise further steps of: scuffing or sanding the cured sealing layer, applying one or more topcoat composition, and curing said topcoat composition. Interior that comprises sealed wooden substrates with enhanced visual aspect stability produced by methods of the invention are also provided.

Abstract: A toothbrush having a handle and head. The handle includes a neck with first upper and lower tabs and a first lug therebetween and second upper and lower tabs and a second lug therebetween. The head includes a main body portion and a generally cylindrical connection member that has bottom, outer and inner surfaces and a central opening, and a first lower protrusion that includes first and second inclined surfaces extending inwardly from the inner surface, a first slot defined in the bottom surface and the inner surface, a first lower notch defined in the inner surface, and a first opening defined in the inner surface above the first lower protrusion. The first slot and the first lower notch are disposed on opposite sides of the first lower protrusion, the first lower tab is positioned in the first lower notch and the first lug in the first opening.

Abstract: Described herein is an indoor greenhouse that includes a rack unit, an outer layer that surrounds the rack unit and defines a greenhouse interior, at least one light surrounded by a light enclosure, a cooling system, and a ventilation system all disposed in the greenhouse interior. The ventilation system includes a fan, a filter and at least one duct that cooperate to exhaust air out of the exhaust vent opening. The rack unit includes a top, a bottom, and an intermediate portion extending therebetween. The outer layer includes a top, a bottom, and an intermediate portion extending therebetween that correspond to the similar portions of the rack unit. The outer layer also has intake and exhaust vent and light cooling openings defined therein. The cooling system includes at least one duct that cooperates with the light enclosure to define an air path between the intake and exhaust light cooling openings.

Abstract: A table system that includes a table top having an upper surface and a surface covering which covers substantially the upper surface of the table top. The table top and the surface covering have concentric openings with substantially similar diameters.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an orthodontic bracket system for correcting the teeth in an arch that includes molars, premolars, canines, lateral incisors and central incisors. The system includes a plurality of brackets that each include a main body portion having first and second tunnels extending transversely therethrough. Each bracket is bonded to the facial surface of a tooth in the arch. The first and second tunnels of each bracket extend approximately parallel to the facial surface of the tooth to which the bracket is bonded. The system further includes a first archwire extending through the first tunnels in each of the brackets.

Abstract: A garment, and methods of using the garment, including a main body portion, a collar attached to the main body portion, and a hood attached to the main body portion adjacent to the collar. The collar includes first and second flaps that define a collar pocket. The hood is moveable between a non-deployed position where it is received within the collar pocket and a deployed position where it is not received within the collar pocket.

Abstract: A personal defense device that includes a shield member configured to be worn over at least a third of a length of a user's forearm, the forearm being bounded by the user's ipsilateral wrist and ipsilateral elbow, the length being measured from the wrist to the elbow, the shield member conforming closely to the outer surface counters of a forearm, and a portable source of electricity. The shield member includes an electrical shock bar configured to receive an electrical current from the electrical source and to deliver an electrical shock to a human or other animal.

Abstract: Described herein is a hydraulic brake lever assembly that includes a clamp member that includes a handle bar opening, a housing extending outwardly from the clamp member, and a lever pivotally connected to the clamp member. The housing includes a cylinder defined therein that includes a master piston. The clamp member and the housing cooperate to define a reservoir having a first portion and a second portion. The first portion is substantially located in the housing and extends substantially parallel to the cylinder and the second portion is substantially located in the clamp member between the handle bar opening and the lever.

Abstract: A video signal is encoded at a plurality of coding layers exhibiting different spatial resolutions. An input video signal is spatially scaled down into a resolution-lowered video signal that exhibits a resolution lower than the video signal. The resolution-lowered video signal is encoded with a decoding procedure to obtain first coded data and a decoded signal. The decoded signal is spatially scaled up through a high-resolution procedure with reference to the input video signal so that the decoded signal has a smaller error with respect to the input video signal, to obtain a high-resolution scaled-up video signal. The input video signal is encoded through inter-spatial resolution prediction using the high-resolution scaled-up video signal as a predictive signal, to obtain second coded data that exhibits a resolution higher than the resolution-lowered video signal.

Abstract: The present invention is a portable isometric exercise device with resistance generated by a spring force including an electronic light or sound indicator to signal that a constant force level is being maintained. When a force is applied to the spring and a desired level of resistance is achieved, a continuous signal will be generated to advise the user that the isometric force exercise is being maintained. If the force is reduced, the signal will terminate to advise the user that the user has not maintained the required level of resistance.