Abstract: A visibility sorting method coherently computes a visibility ordering of a collection of moving objects seen by a moving camera in an animated graphics scene. The method detects whether an object occludes other objects. Objects that form an occlusion cycle are grouped together in the ordering. Objects are represented using convex polyhedra to facilitate occlusion testing. A fast occlusion test determines whether the spatial and angular extents of the convex polyhedra overlap. An exact occlusion test detects collisions between convex polyhedra and the silhouettes of the convex polyhedra.

Abstract: A germicidal composition suitable for cleaning fruits, vegetables, skin and hair, includes a mixture of fruit acids and a surfactant. The surfactant may be an anionic surfactant (such as sodium lauryl sulfate), a sophorose lipid biosurfactant, or a combination of the two surfactants. The mixture of fruit acids may include citric acid, glycollic acid, lactic acid, malic acid and tartaric acid. The fruit acids are preferably present, in an aqueous solution, in a sufficient amount to produce a pH of about 2-6, for example 3.8-4.2. The compositions of the present invention are germicidal, and are sufficient to kill 100% of E. coli, Salmonella and Shigelia in 30 seconds after application to the surface of the object.

Abstract: A method and system for referring to and binding to objects using a moniker object is provided. In a preferred embodiments moniker object contains information to identify linked source data and provides methods through which a program can bind to the linked source data. A binding method is provided that returns an instance of an interface through which the linked source data can be accessed. The moniker object can identify source data that is stored persistently or nonpersistently. In addition, moniker objects can be composed to form a composite moniker object. A composite moniker object is used to identify linked source data that is nested in other data. In a preferred embodiment, the moniker object provides other methods including a reducing method that returns a more efficient representation of the moniker object; equality and hash methods for comparing moniker objects; and inverse, common prefix, and relative-path-to methods for comparing and locating moniker objects from other moniker objects.

Abstract: A componentizing object designer is used to define a componentization of visual forms and other object-oriented technologies. The componentized object designer includes a set of tightly integrated protocols enabling Component Object Model (COM) objects to replace standard built-in visual form and other objects. The componentized object designer allows the design-time object and the run-time object to differ in implementation. The componentized object designer allows class identifiers for the run-time objects which are different than design-time objects. With a different class identifier, the run-time object can be saved as an object which is radically different from the design-time object. This enables the run-time object to be stored in a different object library than the design-time object. The componentized object designer allows for different persistence formats to be saved for run-time objects.

Abstract: An instrumentation system performs operations such as profiling an application and partitioning and distributing units of the application using different versions of metadata describing the application. Performing an operation on an executing application generates overhead. Detailed metadata used in operations such as profiling create unnecessary overhead during other operations. By removing metadata detail unnecessary for a particular operation, an instrumentation system using reduced metadata generates less overhead for that particular operation. Different instrumentation packages include different versions of metadata for performing operations on the application.

Abstract: A hand-held tool for loading a primer into a primer socket of an ammunition cartridge case includes an elongate body with a holder for holding a cartridge case with its primer socket in a target position in a priming station. An elongate track on the tool longitudinally guides a rectilinear primer holding strip through the priming station. A reciprocating advancing member moves in advancing and retracting directions, and in its advancing direction engages the primer strip to sequentially align successive primers in the strip with the target position. A detent holds the primer strip against retraction when the advancing member moves in its retracting direction. A plunger is mounted for shifting longitudinally of the body into and away from the priming station to push a primer out of the primer strip into the primer socket of the cartridge. An elongate operator handle is connected to the body for movement relative thereto.

Abstract: A fence surrounds a trampoline and extends above the rebounding surface, reducing the risk of injury. Shock absorption is aided in the preferred embodiment by a support system of independent poles, linked at their tops by a flexible strap or line. An impact anywhere on the fence causes the posts to flex inwardly, absorbing the force. Much of this impact injury is stored in system components and is subsequently returned, helping propel an errant jumper back onto to the rebounding surface. Numerous other embodiments and accessories are also detailed. Similar arrangements are suitable for use with above ground pools.

Abstract: Lateral flow device and method are provided for performing semi-quantitative visual or instrument-based detection in a test sample of a large molecule analyte that contains two binding domains, &agr; and &bgr;. The device contains two reagents, a contrast reagent and an indicator reagent, and an analyte test zone (ATZ) that contains a fixed number of immobilized &agr;-domain-specific binding sites. The contrast and indicator reagents each contain signal generators such that the two reagents contrast each other in different regions of a visual, spectrophotometric, calorimetric or fluorometric spectrum. The contrast reagent is prebound to an &agr;-region-fragment of the analyte of interest and, therefore, does not react with the analyte of interest in the test sample. The indicator reagent is attached to a binding ligand specific for the &bgr;-domain of the analyte of interest.

Abstract: Stabilized dried pharmaceutical compositions dispersible in aqueous liquid or injection comprise (i) virus e.g. for use as a vaccine or vector, preferably a herpesvirus, e.g. attenuated or genetically disabled infectious herpes simplex virus or varicella zoster virus, (ii) polysaccharide, e.g. dextran, and/or a source of mixed aminoacids of vegetable or bacterial origin, (iii) a buffer, and (iv) a mono- or oligo-saccharide or derivative thereof.

Abstract: Palmaria cultivars having a growth rate greater than wild type and known strains, particularly when cultured at temperatures greater than about 16° C., and specific embodiments of such cultivars, many of which had a rosette morphology, are described. Methods for isolating such cultivars and using the cultivars as a food source also are described. One embodiment of the method for isolating such cultivars comprised providing at least one sample of Palmaria and cultivating such sample in a container under environmental conditions to produce at least one Palmaria cultivar having a growth rate greater than wild type when cultured at temperatures greater than about 16° C. A particular embodiment of the method resulted in the isolation of Palmaria cultivars having a rosette morphology. Isolated Palmaria cultivars can be used as a food source for feeding organisms, such as humans.

Abstract: A spring movement limiting device that limits lateral shift of a spring in a vehicle suspension along a vehicle axle direction includes a first element and a second element. The first element is coupled to the axle and to the spring. The second element is separate from and engageable with the first element. The second element is fixed at a predetermined position relative to the vehicle axle. Engagement between the first element and the second element limits the first element and spring from movement in the vehicle axle direction.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are disclosed for holding a subject body (or body portion, generally termed “body”) at a desired stereotaxic orientation relative to a known reference point, in three-dimensional space, where a reference X-axis, a reference Y-axis, and a reference Z-axis mutually intersect. The reference point can be co-positioned with a target point on or in the subject body so as to place the body in a reference position used in a corresponding anatomical atlas or other locational index. With the body so positioned, a probe or other tool can be inserted into the body to a desired locus with high accuracy (in hitting the desired locus) and with high precision (from one animal to the next). To such end, at least one tool is mounted to an implement especially configured to be mounted to a manipulator so as to present the tool(s) to the body at respective loci on or in the body.

Abstract: Creators of computer software provide the most up-to-date versions of their computer software on an update service. A user who has purchased or downloaded free computer software calls an update service or a network service provider (e.g., an Internet provider) on a periodic basis. The update or network service automatically inventories the user computer to determine what computer software (e.g., a network browser) may be out-of-date, and/or need maintenance updates. If so desired by the user, the update service computer automatically downloads with a secure software transfer process and installs computer software to the user computer. By making periodic calls to an update or network service, the user always has the most up-to-date computer software immediately available. The update or network service may also alert the user to new products (i.e. including new help files, etc.

Abstract: The present invention discloses the isolation of the human and murine wild-type Int6 gene and the cDNAs corresponding to these genes. The invention further describes the use of reagents derived from the nucleic acid and amino acid sequences of the Int6 gene in diagnostic methods, immunotherapy, gene therapy and as vaccines.

Abstract: A system for improved shadowing of images using a multiple pass, depth buffer approach includes rendering a scene from the perspective of a light source to construct a shadow depth map in a rasterization buffer. The system computes depth values for the two nearest geometric primitives to the light source for pixels, and stores these depth values in the rasterization buffer. Once the shadow map is constructed, it is stored in shared memory, where it can be retrieved for subsequent rendering passes. The two depth values for each element in the shadow map can be used in combination with a global bias to eliminate self-shadowing artifacts and avoid artifacts in the terminator region. The system supports linear or higher order filtering of data from the shadow depth map to produce smoother transitions from shadowed and un-shadowed portions of an image. In addition, the system supports the re-use of the shadow map and shadowed images for more than one frame.

Abstract: A Deodar Cedar tree named ‘CDMTF1’ having an upright, narrow growth habit with a dense foliage canopy, a dominant leader, branches which generally ascend upwardly from the trunk or leader, silvery green needles and which is also capable of being reproduced reliably from vegetative cuttings.

Abstract: A shrub rose plant having red and white striped flowers; clustering bloom habit; dark green, glossy foliage; and very good disease resistance.

Abstract: A grandiflora rose plant having very glossy, dark green, disease resistant foliage; large, bright red flowers of stable color growing singly and in large, open clusters.

Abstract: A distinct variety Quercus virginiana named ‘SDLN’ which is distinctive in having a dense, upright, canopy; and dominant leader; small lateral branches without included bark in the branch unions; mature dark evergreen foliage with leaves typically being about one to two inches long and about one-half inch wide; and true evergreen habit. The canopy is very dense with foliage held on shaded interior twigs.