Abstract: A method for estimating signal strengths for a wireless environment. The method includes measuring a strength of a first radio signal at a plurality of locations in the environment, wherein the first radio signal is transmitted from a radio transmitter at a first location, estimating the strength of the first radio signal at each of the plurality of locations, and estimating a strength of a second radio signal at the plurality of locations, wherein the second radio signal corresponds to a signal transmitted from one of the plurality of locations, based on a difference between the measured signal strength and the estimated signal strength for the first radio signal.

Abstract: The invention relates to a novel ribosome-binding protein derived from Bougainvillea speotabilis having a molecular weight of about 26,000 daltons by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis under reducing and non-reducing conditions, a ph of about 9.0, and further comprising a specified amino-terminal amino acid sequence, as well as to a conjugate of said protein with a targeting ligand, such as an antibody, to form an immunotoxin. The protein and the conjugate are useful in therapy, for example in the control of tumour calls or viruses.

Abstract: A device for forming a double-curved object comprises a frame, two elongate clamping heads which are arranged parallel to one another on the frame, a support with an exchangeable shaping die, on either side of which support there are clamping heads, and drive means for moving the clamping heads to and fro transversely with respect to their longitudinal direction, along the shaping die in the direction of a working stroke, during which the sheet is stretched and formed, and a return stroke. At least one of the clamping heads is provided with a double-curved shaping piece.

Abstract: Circuits are provided for increasing the reliability of an iontophoretic drug delivery system. Such circuits detect the failure of a crystal oscillator of the system, the failure of a voltage reference of the system, or the impending failure of a battery power source of the system.

Abstract: The present invention provides low molecular weight fluorescent labeling complexes with large wavelength shifts between absorption of one dye in the complex and emission from another dye in the complex. These complexes can be used, for example, for multiparameter fluorescence cell analysis using a single excitation wavelength. The low molecular weight of the complex permits materials labeled with the complex to penetrate cell structures for use as probes. The labeling complexes are synthesized by covalently attaching through linkers at least one cyanine fluorochrome to another low molecular weight fluorochrome to form energy donor-acceptor complexes. Resonance energy transfer from an excited donor to fluorescent acceptor provides wavelength shifts up to 300 nm. The fluorescent labeling complexes preferably contain reactive groups for the labeling of functional groups on target compounds, such as derivatized oxy and deoxy polynucleic acids, antibodies, enzymes, proteins and other materials.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods are disclosed using a fixed abrasive polishing pad to perform mechanical polishing of a surface. The apparatus includes a polishing pad positioned opposing a wafer support to provide for polishing of a surface of a wafer placed on the support. The polishing pad includes a first member having a first polishing surface formed from an abrasive first material that is structurally degradable during polishing. The polishing pad also includes a second member having a second polishing surface formed from a second material that is less degradable and less abrasive relative to said first material. The first and second polishing surfaces define a polishing face that is brought into contact with the surface to be polished.

Abstract: An apparatus for interrupting data transmissions along a communications link between an input terminal and an output terminal of the apparatus. According to one embodiment, the apparatus includes a switch connected in series along the communications link, a bandpass filter and a processor. The bandpass filter includes an input terminal connected to the communications link and an output terminal connected to an input terminal of the processor. The processor includes an output terminal connected to a control terminal of the switch. The processor is programmed to detect participation in a handshake operation by a modem connected to the communications link and open the switch when participation in a handshake operation is detected.

Abstract: An integral heating and cooling unit is disclosed. The integral heating and cooling unit controls the temperature of a working fluid by heating or cooling the fluid either independently or in tandem. The integral heating and cooling unit includes a casing or outer housing, which defines a plenum. A heat exchanger pipe is attached to the outer housing and passes through the plenum. A plurality of heating elements connects to the outer housing and extends into the plenum. The heating elements heat the working fluid when they are powered and the working fluid passes through the plenum. The heat exchanger pipe extracts heat from the working fluid when a cooling fluid passes through the pipe and in heat transfer relation with the working fluid.

Abstract: A screwdriver comprises a handle, a hollow outer sleeve, at least an inner pipe, and a bit. The rear end of the outer sleeve connects to the handle. The inner pipe is inserted in the interior of the outer sleeve via the front opening of the outer sleeve. A magnetic chuck is disposed at the front end of the inner pipe. The magnetic chuck is inserted in the rear portion of the bit.

Abstract: A system for enterprise information management includes a data warehouse server; a transformation and staging server connected to the data warehouse server for providing transformed and cleansed data to the data warehouse server; a data source application connected to the transformation and staging server to provide data to the transformation and staging server, wherein the transformation and staging server obtains data from the data source application via requests and places the data into temporary staging tables to prepare for the transformation and cleansing process prior to movement of the data to the data warehouse server; a financial consolidation application connected to the transformation and staging server for performing consolidation and reporting of financial data; a web server connected to the data warehouse server; and a plurality of clients connectable to the web server for accessing data from the data warehouse server via the web server.

Abstract: A magnetoresistive read head. The magnetoresistive read head includes a magnetoresistive element including a lower surface and an upper surface, wherein an electrical resistance of the magnetoresistive element varies in response to varying magnetic fields adjacent to the lower surface of the magnetoresistive element, and a magnetic element adjacent to the upper surface of the magnetoresistive element.

Abstract: A folding table including a base member and first and second table top portions that are pivotably connected to the base with two first and two second arm members. In one embodiment, the folding table may include at least one rod member connected to and extending between the two first arm members. It may also include at least one rib attached to the table top and sized to engage the rod member when the table is in its assembled position.

Abstract: A system for monitoring incoming communications to a telecommunications device. The system includes a switch and a service control point in communication with each other. The switch is for detecting an incoming communication to the telecommunications device from a calling party, wherein the switch is in communication with the telecommunications device by a first communications link. The service control point is for receiving a first message from the switch regarding detection of the incoming communication and for sending a second message to a data communications device, the second message containing information regarding the calling party, wherein the service control point is in communications with the data communications device by a second communications link.

Abstract: A cabinet maintains one or more food products at a predetermined temperature. In one general aspect, the cabinet includes at least one modular shelving unit capable of interconnecting with one or more additional modular shelving units. Each modular shelving unit includes a passageway for storing food products, a display for presenting information regarding food products stored in the passageway, and a control system for individually controlling the operations of the modular shelving unit.

Abstract: A method, system, and apparatus of processing a data file stored in a computer memory in digital form. The method including selecting a packet size that is a number of bits between one and a subframe size within an input file containing data stored in frames and subframes format, wherein the data file stored in a computer memory in digital form; separating the data into consecutive packets of the selected size; repositioning the packets located in similar positions within a frame adjacent to one another; and storing the packets in an output file for further processing by a compression algorithm. The system includes a processor for executing the method and a memory for storing an output data file. The apparatus including a computer readable medium having computer executable instructions thereon for executing the method.

Abstract: The present invention provides a longitudinal magnetic recording media having a substrate, optionally, a sputter deposited MgO seed layer, a Co or Co alloy based magnetic layer and an underlayer disposed between the substrate and the magnetic layer comprised of a material having a body centered cubic derivative ordered crystalline structure, preferably a B2, DO3 or L21 structure. The material may be for example, NiAl, FeAl or Mn3Si. A thin Cr or Cr alloy intermediate layer of about 1.0 nm to 5.0 nm thick may be positioned between the underlayer and the magnetic layer.

Abstract: A system for concentrating a volatile organic compound (VOC) sample uses in one embodiment a bypass line and a valve coupled thereto to regulate an amount of carrier gas flowing through a carrier gas line. A flow splitter fluidly couples the bypass line to the carrier gas line, and connects to the output of a cryofocuser. The valve opens at the onset of transferring the VOC sample from a concentrator trap such as a sorbent trap to the cryofocuser, thereby resulting in an increased amount of carrier gas flow between the concentrator trap and the cryofocuser for more efficient desorbing of the concentrator trap. The valve is closed when the focused VOC sample is flushed out of the cryofocuser for delivery to a gas chromatograph, preferably delivering the entire VOC sample to the GC.

Abstract: Disclosed is a low profile lighting apparatus that is particularly advantageous for use as a backlight for illuminating a display. The lighting apparatus includes a waveguide coupled to a light source for injecting light into the waveguide. The waveguide includes a plurality of elongate structures for ejecting light propagating within the waveguide through a predetermined surface of the waveguide. Another embodiment of the waveguide includes a central region of reduced thickness that redirects light propagating within the waveguide. The lighting apparatus has a low profile so it is particularly useful in areas of limited space.

Abstract: The present invention, sometimes called Enterlink, for the first time provides a federated system with state that interconnects applications of multiple companies. The Enterlink connects participant companies and applications, through the Enterlink bus, with each other and with consolidated data stores, third party services, core services, public process applications, and private process applications. The Enterlink bus uses, for the first time, metachannels, a metachannel engine and a metachannel repository. Connectors connect the Enterlink public process applications and the company private process applications with the bus. The invention can be applied to the automotive retail industry, among others. The Enterlink applications, core applications, and bus, may be operated as a service to company participants.

Abstract: A ferritic stainless steel having improved high temperature mechanical properties includes greater than 25 weight percent chromium, 0.75 up to 1.5 weight percent molybdenum, up to 0.05 weight percent carbon, and at least one of niobium, titanium, and tantalum, wherein the sum of the weight percentages of niobium, titanium, and tantalum satisfies the following equation: 0.4≦(%Nb+%Ti+½(%Ta))≦1. The coefficient: of thermal expansion of the ferritic stainless steel is within 25 percent of the CTE of stabilized zirconia between 20° C. (68° F.) and 1000° C. (1832° F.), and the steel exhibits at least one creep property selected from creep rupture strength of at least 1000 psi at 900° C. (1,652° F.), time to 1% creep strain of at least 100 hours at 900° C. (1652° F.) under load of 1000 psi, and time to 2% creep strain of at least 200 hours at 900° C. (1652° F.) Under load of 1000 psi.