Abstract: An image generator takes graphical objects and an occlusion relationship for the objects and resolves non-binary occlusion cycles with image compositing operations to produce an output image of the objects. The image generator takes an occlusion relationship for objects in a scene and a set of antialiased image layers with transparency of the objects and produces an antialiased image of the objects with hidden surfaces eliminated. One implementation operates on subsets of the objects in a scene that form non-binary cycles. This implementation uses a chain of atop operators to combine occluding objects with a selected object from a subset, and then combines this result with other objects in the cycle using over image operations. Another implementation computes a chain of out image operations for each object to combine the image layers of the occluding objects with the image layer of the object. The results of each chain of out image operations are summed to produce an output image.

Abstract: An apparatus for sequentially and automatically cutting a piece of dimension lumber at a number of predetermined angles to produce a building component, such as a rafter or truss web or chord, with composite or compound angles, is disclosed. The apparatus includes infeed and outfeed tables tiltable about a longitudinal axis and equipped with fences along which a workpiece moves longitudinally via moving devices. Clamps hold the workpiece at different positions relative to a cutting station during a cutting operation. A cutter, which for example includes a circular saw blade, is mounted for a positioning movement about a vertical axis at the cutting station, as well as for vertical movement to cut a workpiece at a predetermined composite or compound angle.

Abstract: A system and method for displaying a rich multimedia document in the same window as a desktop window. In one aspect of the invention a client computer connects to a computer network, such as the Internet, and retrieves a channel guide or list of content providers from which a user can select one or more content providers. The client computer retrieves a document associated with a content provider selected from the channel guide. The document is integrated into the desktop window on the client computer. The document received may be an HTML document including hyperlinks for allowing a user to jump to another document (e.g., folder, FTP site, other HTML documents, etc.) associated with the hyperlink.

Abstract: A simplified rocket engine a rocket engine has a rotor assembly with an ultracentrifugal (over 200 meters/second tangential velocity) liquid pump arranged around a combustion chamber so as to provide both forced convective and Coriolis-effect and centripetal-acceleration enhanced free convective regenerative cooling to the combustion chamber while pressurizing the liquid propellant. Both fuel and oxidizer may be stored a cryogenic temperatures and pumped around the combustion chamber for regenerative cooling. The combustion chamber may be structured to rotate together with the pump to provide Coriolis-effect and centripetal-acceleration enhanced combustion. The rotor assembly is driven directly by a tangential component of the primary thrust vector by means of tilted nozzles or by vanes, flutes, or other reaction surfaces.

Abstract: Rather than comparing an old file with a new file to generate a set of patching instructions, and then compressing the patching instructions to generate a compact patch file for transmission to a user, a patch file is generated in a single operation. A compressor is pre-initialized in accordance with the old version of the file (e.g. in an LZ77 compressor, the history window is pre-loaded with the file). The pre-initialized compressor then compresses the old file, producing a patch file from which the new file can be generated. At the user's computer, a parallel process is performed, with the user's copy of the old file being used to pre-initialize a decompressor to which the patch file is then input. The output of the decompressor is the new file. The patch files generated and used in these processes are of significantly reduced size when compared to the prior art.

Abstract: A parallel programming system provides a lazy collection oriented data type that reduces inter-processor communication in programs executed on parallel computers. The lazy collection oriented data type is provided as a data type in a parallel programming language. The parallel language supports both data-parallel and control-parallel operations. These operations take advantage of the lazy collection oriented data type to defer or reduce inter-processor communication until an operation on the data type requires that it be balanced across a set of processors.

Abstract: Peptides are disclosed that inhibit the conversion of protease sensitive prion protein (PrPsen) to the protease resistant isoform (PrPres). These peptides comprise discrete fragments of prion proteins, and are shown to inhibit the in vitro conversion of PrPsen to PrPres in a cell-free system. Numerous peptides are disclosed that include at least two amino acid residues from the highly amyloidogenic region P113-120 of the PrP protein. None of these peptides conferred protease-resistance to the PrPsen molecules. The presence of residues 119 and 120 from the highly hydrophobic sequence AGAAAAGA (position 113 to 120) produced a particular inhibitory effect. The inhibition occurred with a high degree of specificity (e.g. with an IC50 of less than about 1000 &mgr;M).

Abstract: FK506 and geldanamycin promote nerve regeneration by a common mechanism that involves the binding of these compounds to polypeptide components of steroid receptor complexes other than the steroid hormone binding portion of the complex (FKBP52 and hsp90, respectively). These and other agents cause hsp90 dissociation from steroid receptor complexes or block association of hsp90 with steroid receptor complexes.

Abstract: A method of marking bullets and bullets marked by the method are described. In one embodiment, the method comprises coating the bullet of a cartridge with at least one coating material whose surface appearance contrasts with the surface appearance of the underlying bullet material. Characters are then selectively etched in, and generally substantially through, the coating, such as molybdenum disulfide. The characters are easily and quickly recognized because of the contrast between the surface appearances of the coating and that of the underlying material. The characters typically, but not necessarily, indicate characteristics of the bullet, such as bullet weight and design features.

Abstract: A method for making debromohymenialdisine (DBH) 2 and analogs thereof is described. One embodiment of the present method first comprises forming hymenin 4, and then converting hymenin into DBH 2 as described herein. One such embodiment first comprises providing a compound having Formula 3 where R is independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and lower aliphatic, and X is independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and halogen. A compound having Formula 3, such as Compound 10 with R and X as hydrogen, is then converted to DBH 2 or an analog thereof. An alternative embodiment of the method comprises forming Compound 30 or Compound 32, which are then directly converted to DBH 2. Alternatively, Compound 30 can be converted to Compound 10, which is then subsequently converted to DBH 2 by reaction with a halogen in the presence of an acid.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for reducing thermal deformation of “upstream” marks (as used for alignment and/or calibration) situated on a reticle or on a reticle plane (e.g., on the reticle stage), thereby facilitating more accurate transfer of the reticle pattern to a sensitized substrate (e.g., semiconductor wafer) using a charged particle beam (e.g., electron beam). The charged particle beam illuminates an upstream mark situated on the reticle or on a reticle plane and projects an image of the illuminated upstream mark onto a corresponding “downstream” mark situated on a substrate plane. A shield is situated upstream of the upstream mark and serves to block downstream passage of the charged particle beam except to illuminate the upstream mark or a portion of the upstream mark. The upstream mark can be situated on the reticle or on a mark member situated in the reticle plane.

Abstract: Currently microfiltration devices use hydrophillic membranes to sterilize liquids. Air locks may develop on the upstream side of the filter membrane within these apparatus. The present invention provides a method and apparatus for removing an air lock from the upstream side of a microfilter in a device for dispensing a sterile liquid from a storage container by forcing the liquid through a microfilter.

Abstract: A vehicle suspension system is provided for coupling elongated frame rails to first and second axles, the axles extending in a direction transverse to the frame rails. Each axle has opposed outer end portions projecting outwardly beyond the frame rails. At each side of the vehicle, in proximity to the frame rail at the respective side of the vehicle, a vehicle suspension is provided which includes a leaf spring assembly comprised of one or more leaf springs. The leaf spring assembly has first and second end portions and a central portion. The leaf spring assembly extends from the outer end portion of the first axle to the outer end portion of the second axle. A bushing is coupled to the frame rail. The bushing includes at least three arcuate reinforcing plates with elastomeric material disposed between the plates. The leaf spring assembly is coupled to the bushing, most preferably by a clamp, to thereby couple the central portion of the leaf spring to the frame rail through the bushing.

Abstract: A method and system for interfacing to type libraries are provided. In a preferred embodiment, the present invention defines an interface to a type library. The interface has a plurality of interface methods through which type information can be stored in and retrieved from the type library. A plurality of implementations of the defined interface are provided. A computer program is compiled using the defined interfaces to access the type information. When the compiled computer program is executed, it accesses the type information using one of the plurality of implementations. In a preferred embodiment, a type library contains type information to allow a compiler to bind to an instance of type at compile type (early binding).

Abstract: Existing fiber optic transmission systems do not provide for or permit a raceway arrangement for optically transmitted signals which would allow flexible access to such signals. The present invention provides a system for providing multiple access to a fiber optic transmission at selected locations along a continuum.

Abstract: A method and system for delayed registration of a remote protocol for communicating between a client computer system and a server computer system. The server computer system has a communications process that registers a plurality of protocols. When the client process needs to communicate with the server process, it sends a request to the communications process along with an indication of the protocols that it supports. The communications process selects a protocol that is supported by both the client computer system and the server computer system and directs the server process to register that protocol. The communication process provides the server endpoint for that protocol to the client process which can then communicate directly with the server process.

Abstract: Wellness plan administration software provides a user interface to enable users to learn about and select a wellness plan. The software tracks wellness plan service items for patients and dynamically estimates discounts for service items offered to patients during visits to a medical facility. When a patient's visit is complete, the software can generate an invoice automatically and analyze the product and service items provided during the visit to determine the appropriate discount. The software includes additional features for recording promotional activities associated with wellness plans and computing employee bonuses.

Abstract: Segmented reticles are disclosed for used with charged-particle-beam projection-microlithography apparatus. Such reticles comprise multiple mask subfields and a support grid, of intersecting struts, having an upstream-facing surface and a downstream-facing surface. Alignment marks are situated on the upstream- or downstream-facing surface. The projection-microlithography apparatus comprise a beam source, an illumination system, and a subfield-selection deflector. A second deflector downstream of the reticle further deflects the beam to impart a change in a parameter of the beam to correct reticle distortion. A correction-optical system can further change one or more characteristics of the beam downstream of the reticle to correct reticle distortion. A detector determines actual alignment-mark positions relative to ideal positions, and a controller calculates therefrom a required change to be imparted to the charged particle beam to correct the reticle distortion.

Abstract: A bridle bit including a mouthpiece connected to at least one cheek ring. The mouthpiece is sized and shaped to be received in a horse's mouth. The cheek ring, preferably generally ringed shaped, is connected to an end of the mouthpiece and resides closely adjacent to the cheek of the horse. The cheek ring includes a headstall slot extending radially through an upper circumferential portion of the ring so that each headstall slot is co-planar with a plane defined by a circumference of the ring. The cheek ring may also include a rein slot extending radially through a lower circumferential portion of the ring so that the rein slot is also co-planar with the plane defined by the circumference of the ring. Additionally, the cheek ring may include a curb chain aperture extending radially through the cheek ring.