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: Disclosed is a method of manufacturing a machine component of sintered ferriferous composite comprising an outer part and an inner part which is fitted into a hole of the outer part. It has the steps of: preparing one of the outer part and the inner part as a green compact of ferriferous powdered metal and the other as one of a green compact of ferriferous powdered metal, a sintered compact of ferriferous powdered metal and a mass of ferriferous molten metal; inserting the inner part into the hole of the outer part; and sintering the outer part and the inner part to bond the outer part and the inner part. The outer part and the inner part are prepared to have a fitting clearance of approximately -100 to +5 .mu.m.

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: 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: 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: 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: 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 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: 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.

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 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: 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 direct construction and isolation of full-length target cDNA molecules obtains a large number of full-length target cDNA clones with minimum screening. This new method saves time and resources that are needed in traditional methods requiring large screenings of clones that do not contain the desired sequence. A characteristic of this method includes using a total RNA population to purify mRNA for synthesizing a mixed population of first strand cDNA. Another characteristic is the use of a short sequence of the target sequence as a forward primer for the generation of the second strand cDNAs and then separating out all non-hybridizing single stranded cDNAs. Only the double stranded cDNAs are then cloned and sequenced. In this manner, only target cDNA clones are obtained and a large amount of screening is avoided.

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: Apparatus for feeding of paint balls to the breech of a paint ball gun. Paint balls are received in pockets around the periphery of a carrier. Rotation of the carrier moves the paint balls into contact with a guide assembly. The guide assembly, which comprises a guide bar and a squash plate, move the paint balls from the pockets and into an outlet of the apparatus. In a preferred embodiment, a guide disc is mounted above the carrier, the guide disc having a plurality of guide openings which are aligned above the pockets.

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: 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: 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.