Abstract: The present invention provides a method for detecting the presence of a predetermined infectious agent in a human or animal subject comprising obtaining a preselected portion of a whole blood sample containing at least one intact blood cell from the subject and detecting the presence of a nucleic acid from the predetermined infectious agent in the intact blood cell by nucleic acid hybridization. The preselected portion of the blood sample can include any portion which contains at least one intact blood cell, for example a peripheral blood smear or cytospin buffy coat preparation. The intact blood cell can be any blood cell including, but not limited to white blood cells and red blood cells. In one embodiment, the blood cell is a lymphocyte.

Abstract: A system and method for enhancing knowledge discovery from data using multiple learning machines in general and multiple support vector machines in particular. Training data for a learning machine is pre-processed in order to add meaning thereto. Pre-processing data may involve transforming the data points and/or expanding the data points. By adding meaning to the data, the learning machine is provided with a greater amount of information for processing. With regard to support vector machines in particular, the greater the amount of information that is processed, the better generalizations about the data that may be derived. Multiple support vector machines, each comprising distinct kernels, are trained with the pre-processed training data and are tested with test data that is pre-processed in the same manner. The test outputs from multiple support vector machines are compared in order to determine which of the test outputs if any represents a optimal solution.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing the size of wood members, particularly pan-shaped wood members known in the industry as "lilypads", such that the orientation of the fibers of the lilypads are encouraged to be substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal and rotation axis of a cutting drum having a plurality of cutting members extending from its circumferential surface.

Abstract: An anti-embolism stocking used to inhibit the development of thrombophlebitis. The present invention is directed to a system and method for applying compressive forces to parts of the body to stimulate fluid flow through the parts of the body. In particular the present invention relates to a stocking that is capable of being placed on a portion of the body and then having a stimulus applied thereto to stimulate blood flow within the region of the body upon which the stocking is placed. The stocking includes polymer materials which, when a selected stimulus is applied thereto, causes constriction of the polymer, thereby causing the compressive forces. The stocking may be designed such that the compressive forces may be generated sequentially along the length of the stocking to gradually stimulate fluid flow, such as blood, to and from the preselected body portion.

Abstract: A cellular communications device for communicating over a cellular network control channel of a cellular mobile radiotelephone (CMR) system. A transmitter can transmit a data message formatted to correspond to an identification signal transmitted by a cellular radiotelephone when that device identifies itself to the CMR system. The data message contains selected data and is transmitted via the reverse overhead control channel of the cellular network control channel. A receiver can receive command signals from a mobile switching center of the CMR system via a forward overhead control channel (FOCC) of the cellular network control channel. A controller controls operation conducted by the transmitter and the receiver.

Abstract: A method and system for automatically adjusting charges billed to an organization by a service provider, so as to create an invoice of rebill charges. An organizational hierarchy, comprising a list of elements of an organization, is displayed on a display device. Services that have been provided to a selected element by one or more service providers are associated with the selected element. The billed charges for the services are then adjusted, so as to calculate the rebill charges.Adjustment of the billed charges is effected by applying reprice parameters and miscellaneous charges. The reprice parameters are used to adjust the billed charge by a desired percentage, by a fixed rate per time, or by a fixed charge per service. The miscellaneous charges are in addition to the billed charges. After adjustment of the billed charges, an invoice is generated based on the rebill charge.

Abstract: A sachet for insertion into a beverage container prior to the sealing and pressurization of the beverage container. The sachet is made from a gas permeable and substantially liquid impermeable material. The article is positioned within this material and sealed with substantially no excess gas contained therein. The sachet sinks when dropped into the beverage container and subsequently floats after the container is sealed and pressurized as gas from within the container penetrates into the sachet until equilibrium is reached. The sachet then rises within the beverage container when the container is opened.

Abstract: An apparatus for selecting individual packages from an accumulated package line, which measures one common dimension of a plurality of packages, combines the packages together in line contract, establishes an "actual line error" by comparing the actual overall length of the line to a theoretical length, and assigns portions of this actual line error to different packages in the line, depending on their location in the line.

Abstract: A computer system for creating a user-defined property for a document and for linking properties to content of the document. When the document is open, a first application receives from a user a name, a type, and a value of property to be created, creates a property within the properties area of the document by storing the name and type of the property within the properties area, and stores the value within the properties area. When the document is closed, a second application retrieves the name, type, and value of the created property from the properties area, and displays the name and the value of the created property. To link the property to the content, the first application receives from a user an indication that the property is to be linked to a field within the content of the document, retrieves the value of the field from within the content of the document, and stores the retrieved value and type as the value of the property.

Abstract: Drop down menus provided by a computer program are provided in two states, a short menu state and a long menu state. When a user opens a desired menu, the menu opened will initially take the form of a short menu of executable commands which are a subset of the total number of executable commands available under the selected menu. The short menu may be dynamically expanded into a long menu which will contain the complete set of executable commands available under the selected menu. The short menu may be adapted to the personal needs of the user when the user selects commands from the long menu which are not contained in the short menu. Usage information is stored and updated on the usage of each menu command added to a short menu. Menu commands are removed from the adapted short menus based on non-use of those menu commands by the user.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to thermoformable ion-sensitive compositions having improved processability. In addition, the present invention is directed to a process of making water-dispersible fibers, films and fabrics, which maintain their structural integrity and strength when in use, but dissolve and disperse when placed in contact with large amounts of water, such as in a conventional sink or toilet. Moreover, the present invention is directed to water-dispersible products, including flushable products such as personal care products, diapers, incontinence devices, release liners, feminine napkins, product packaging, etc., which contain fibers, films and fabrics formed from the water-sensitive compositions.

Abstract: The present invention concerns an artificial joint, in particular an endoprosthesis to replace natural joints, consisting of at least two artificial joint parts with curved articulation surfaces, wherein, on each of the articulation surfaces, a contact line (k) in the shape of the arc of a circle is formed, which is a section of a contact circle with a center (M), lying in a plane. The articulation surfaces are arranged as a pair with respect to one another in such a manner that the contact lines (k) can roll onto one another, and vertical to the plane of the contact circles, are intersected at an intersection point (S) by axes (m) passing through their center (M).

Abstract: Electromagnetic and nuclear radiation is detected by micromechanical sensors that can be coated with various interactive materials. As the micromechanical sensors absorb radiation, the sensors bend and/or undergo a shift in resonance characteristics. The bending and resonance changes are detected with high sensitivity by any of several detection methods including optical, capacitive, and piezoresistive methods. Wide bands of the electromagnetic spectrum can be imaged with picoJoule sensitivity, and specific absorptive coatings can be used for selective sensitivity in specific wavelength bands. Microcantilevers coated with optical cross-linking polymers are useful as integrating optical radiation dosimeters. Nuclear radiation dosimetry is possible by fabricating cantilevers from materials that are sensitive to various nuclear particles or radiation.

Abstract: A method for modifying poly(ethylene oxide) by grafting polar vinyl monomers, such as poly(ethylene glycol) methacrylates and 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate, onto the poly(ethylene oxide) is disclosed. The grafting is accomplished by mixing the poly(ethylene oxide), the monomer(s) and an initiator and applying heat. Preferably, the method is a reactive-extrusion process. The resulting modified poly(ethylene oxide) has improved melt processability and may be used to thermally process articles which have improved properties over articles similarly processed from unmodified poly(ethylene oxide).

Abstract: A microlayer polymer film comprising a plurality of coextruded microlayers including a non-degradable layer comprising a non-water degradable, melt-extrudable polymer and degradable layer comprising a water degradable, melt-extrudable polymer. The microlayer polymer film degrades when soaked in water and is suitable as a covering material for disposal items such as flushable diapers. The microlayer polymer film is also breathable and is a barrier to small amounts of water. A suitable non-water degradable, melt-extrudable polymer is linear low density polyethylene filled with a particulate filler. A suitable water degradable, melt-extrudable polymer is polyethylene oxide.

Abstract: There is disclosed an novel refrigeration apparatus and a method of refrigeration. The novel refrigeration apparatus comprises a desorber/evaporator, a gas/liquid compressor operatively connected to said desorber/evaporator, a resorber/condenser operatively connected to said gas/liquid compressor, an expansion device operatively connected to said resorber/condenser and to said desorber/evaporator and a circulating refrigerant comprising carbon dioxide and a liquid co-fluid in which the carbon dioxide is differentially soluble. The refrigeration method comprises compressing carbon dioxide gas and a liquid co-fluid in a gas/liquid compressor to an increased pressure, such that carbon dioxide at least partially dissolves in the liquid co-fluid, and reducing the pressure on the liquid co-fluid containing the dissolved carbon dioxide so that dissolved carbon dioxide comes out of solution with the liquid co-fluid, and recirculating the gaseous carbon dioxide and liquid co-fluid to the gas/liquid compressor.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a group of compounds that effectively inhibit angiogenesis. More specifically, thalidomide and various related compounds such as thalidomide precursors, analogs, metabolites and hydrolysis products have been shown to inhibit angiogenesis. Importantly, these compounds can be administered orally.

Abstract: A printable heat transfer material having cold release properties, which material includes a flexible first layer having first and second surfaces. The first layer typically will be a film or a cellulosic nonwoven web. A second layer overlays the first surface of the first layer and includes a thermoplastic polymer, such as a hard acrylic polymer or a poly(vinyl acetate). A third layer overlays the second layer and includes a thermoplastic polymer which melts in a range of from about 65.degree. C. to about 180.degree. C. The first layer may be a cellulosic nonwoven web, such as a latex-impregnated paper. The thermoplastic polymer of which the second layer is composed may have a glass transition temperature of at least about 25.degree. C. The second layer also may include an effective amount of a release-enhancing additive, such as a divalent metal ion salt of a fatty acid, a polyethylene glycol, or a mixture thereof.

Abstract: A method of insulating a structure and providing fire retardancy, microbial and pest control to the structure is disclosed. A slurry of a dry boric acid stabilized cellulose insulation product and a borate salt solution is applied to the area to be insulated.