Abstract: A selectively arrangeable pallet for supporting conventional and unconventional loads and for reducing shock and vibrations on the loads. The selectively arrangeable pallet includes a base and a tray. The base and tray are selectively arrangeable in an overlaying relationship relative to each other in a nested configuration and alternatively in an expanded configuration. The tray is capable of being inverted relative to the base into the nested configuration to permit a first load-bearing surface of the tray to support the conventional loads and into the expanded configuration to permit a second load-bearing surface to support the unconventional loads. The second load-bearing surface of the tray includes a plurality of relatively spaced support pads for reducing shock and vibration. The support pads correspond with a plurality of relatively spaced recess in an upper surface of the base.

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 method and system for directly manipulating cells in an electronic spreadsheet program or the like. After the user has selected the cells to be manipulated, the user merely positions the cursor over any part of the outside border of the selected group of cells, depresses and holds down a predefined mouse button, drags the border to a new location and then releases the mouse button. Depending upon which mouse button or control key was depressed, the user may be presented with options such as whether the manipulation should be to move or copy the selected cells, or the selected cells may be moved and no option presented. Depending upon which control key was depressed or upon the location of the repositioned border, the selected cells may be pasted over existing cells, or they may be inserted into the spreadsheet causing the existing cells to be shifted right and/or down.

Abstract: The invention consists of a new method for preparing perfluoroalcanecarboxylic and perfluoroalcanesulfonic acids in which ozone is made to react, in a protic environment, upon a perfluoroalkyl chain comprising at least one oxydizable chemical group.

Abstract: A thermoplastic composition that comprises a mixture of a polyethylene oxide polymer, a polyolefin polymer, a polyester polymer, and, optionally, a compatibilizer for the polymers. One embodiment of such a thermoplastic composition is a mixture of polyethylene oxide polymer, poly(lactic acid) polymer, and polyethylene polymer. The thermoplastic composition is capable of being extruded into fibers that may be formed into nonwoven structures that may be used in a disposable absorbent product intended for the absorption of fluids such as body fluids.

Abstract: Systems and methods for pre-processing an initializer prior to creation of a final version of a binary image and excluding the initializer from the computer code that comprises the binary image. Prior to creation of the final version of the binary image, an attempt is made to pre-process the initializer as if it were being processed during execution of the binary image. The initializer may be pre-processed during one or more of three stages involved in the creation of a binary image: prior to operation of the linker; during operation of the linker; and after operation of the linker. If the initializer is successfully pre-processed, an initialized value for a variable is determined. This initialized value is written into the binary image and all references and calls to the initializer are excluded from the binary image. Thus, during all subsequent start-ups of the binary image, no initialization of the variable will be performed.

Abstract: A method and system for inserting a table over text, for splitting a cell with text into two or more cells, for converting a bordered paragraph into a table, and for adding cells to a table. A table drawing tool allows a user to insert a table over existing text in a document, convert a bordered paragraph into a table, split a table cell into multiple cells, and add cells to a table, among other features. To insert a table over existing text, a subset of the plurality of lines of text that the table covers is determined. A determination is made whether the subset of text needs to be placed inside the table. If so, then the subset of text is extracted from the electronic file and the subset is placed inside a paragraph. The table is inserted into the electronic file with a height equal to the height of the extracted subset of text and the paragraph is pasted into the table.

Abstract: There is described a garbage disposal apparatus including a storage drum for storing garbage and having a meshed bottom, and an agitation and mixing mechanism disposed within the storage drum, the agitation and mixing mechanism stirring and mixing together garbage and microorganism-carrying carriers, and the garbage being fermented and decomposed, wherein a water-spraying mechanism is disposed beneath the meshed bottom of the storage drum and squirts water to the meshed bottom from outside of the storage drum.

Abstract: A system for communicating data via a cellular network control channel of a cellular mobile radiotelephone system. The system includes a mobile switching center operable for receiving a registration signal from a registering cellular communications device. The registration signal includes identification information associated with the registering cellular communications device and a predefined data field containing data. The mobile switching center detects the presence of the identification information in the registration signal. In response to the identification information, the mobile switching center determines whether the registering cellular communications device is a member of a predetermined class of cellular sources, such as a class known as "roamer" units.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a new chenille yarn and a method of making the same. The chenille yarn may be used on conventional weaving equipment, including air jet and water jet weaving machines, to produce simulated pile fabrics having superior abrasion resistance and improved hand. The present invention is also directed to a method of making fabrics containing the chenille yarn, and various uses for the fabrics, especially as residential upholstery fabrics, decorative throws, contract fabrics, automotive fabrics, and bedding fabrics for use in the home.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for manufacturing and installing a roof structure, in which clay is formed into tiles which simulate wood shakes, and the tiles are attached atop a supporting surface in a predetermined manner in a substantially unrecognizable pattern. The tile configuration provides a structure which is light in weight yet is structurally sound, which lends itself to ready installation upon a wide variety of structures. Secondary supporting ribs for strength and upwardly-directed support ridges for improved stackability are also provided.

Abstract: A process for making the grafted polyolefin includes the steps of adding a predetermined amount of polyolefin, a predetermined amount of 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate and a free radical initiator to a reaction vessel. Preferably, the reaction vessel is an extruder. The constituents are then mixed under melt grafting conditions so that at least 5 weight percent of the 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate is grafted onto the polyolefin to form a copolymer. The grafted polyolefin is then solidified.

Abstract: An air manager system for a metal-air battery. The system includes a housing for enclosing at least one metal-air cell with an air electrode. The housing also has at least one air inlet opening, at least one air outlet opening, and a fan positioned to force air through the openings when the fan is turned on. These openings are unobstructed and sized to eliminate substantially the air flow through the openings when the fan is turned off. The system also includes fan control means having voltage sensing means to monitor the voltage across the air electrode and to operate the fan when the voltage reaches predetermined levels.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to novel equipment drapes for use with an Interventional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (IMRI) device. An IMRI device enables medical personnel to obtain magnetic resonance imaging data on a patient and, at the same time, perform surgery on the patient. An IMRI device requires specialty equipment. The present invention is directed to one form of specialty equipment, equipment drapes. Equipment drapes of the present invention have a U-shape or rectangular shape and are attached to the IMRI machine to maintain a sterile field and to provide a barrier against fluids escaping from a surgery patient. In one embodiment, the present invention discloses an equipment drape having a U-shape with a retractable flap positioned with the "U" portion of the drape. In a further embodiment, the present invention discloses an equipment drape having a U-shape with a retractable pouch positioned with the "U" portion of the drape.

Abstract: The present invention seeks to provide a titanium product applicable to construction material, daily necessities, cutlery and a trowel which has an excellent decorative effect or an excellent smoothing ability in smoothing the kneaded material surface and a manufacture method thereof. The titanium product according to the present invention has crystal grains including twins of 100 .mu.m or larger separated on or near a partial or the entire surface.

Abstract: Displaying an image at a particular level of opacity on a pixel-oriented output device by selecting a dithered pattern corresponding to the desired opacity level. The image is divided into tiles of a predetermined pixel width and height. The dither pattern comprises a predetermined number of bits, each bit corresponding to a pixel in a tile. When a bit in the dither pattern is set to a binary 1 value, the corresponding pixel is displayed opaque. In contrast, if a bit in the dither pattern is set to a binary 0 pattern, the corresponding bit is displayed transparent. The pixels in each tile in a row are displayed according to the dither pattern. A new dither pattern is then created by shifting the dither pattern by a random number of bits. The pixels of another row are displayed according to the new dither pattern. New dither patterns can be created for each row in the image, thereby generating an image having a desired opacity level.

Abstract: A cradle for holding a wireless terminal. The cradle includes a lower spring-loaded leveling tray and an upper bracket including two spaced-apart retainers that allow one-handed access to the wireless terminal using an ergonomically safe push-down-and-tilt motion. Easy removal is enhanced by using an optical communication link between the cradle and the wireless terminal. The optical communication link allows an optional articulating keyboard to communicate with the wireless terminal when the wireless terminal is in the cradle. A battery charging terminal in the leveling tray charges the battery in the wireless terminal. The leveling tray is automatically locked when the wireless terminal is installed in the cradle. When the wireless terminal is in the cradle, a solenoid may be activated to open the lock.

Abstract: Composing an image with fragments. The fragments of an image are downloaded from a server. The fragments are displayed in an initial configuration within the image. One of the fragments located at one of the positions within the image is then selected. The selected fragment is then moved to a second position within the image which has defined characteristics. The selected fragment is then visually altered to conform to the defined characteristics of the second position. The visual alteration may include altering the size or the aspect ratio or both of the fragments to conform to the defined characteristics of the respective positions, such as a positions within a grid, or altering the size or orientation or both of the fragments to conform to the defined characteristics of their respective positions, such as C-shaped fragments arranged radially around a center of the image. After the appearance of the selected fragment is altered, a new configuration of the image fragments may be displayed.