Abstract: A rotating electric machine including circumferential portions respectively corresponding to magnetic pole centers of permanent magnets and defined along the outer circumference of the rotor at a plurality of locations, with each circumferential portion extending along part of a virtual circumferential surface, which is coaxial with the rotor. The circumferential portions are spaced from one another in the circumferential direction. Convex portions connect adjacent pairs of the circumferential portions. Each convex portion is located radially inward from the circumferential surface, projects in a radially outward direction, and includes angled portions directed in the radially outward direction. The rotating electric machine suppresses decrease in the average value of the output torque and does not use reluctance torque to increase the average value of the output torque.

Abstract: A straw drinking cup includes a container and a flexible straw having a first, drinking, end and a second and that is disposed within the container. Advantageously, the cup includes a straw positioning mechanism that ensures that the first, drinking end of the flexible straw will remain upwardly oriented to minimize the possibility of leakage, regardless of whether the straw positioning mechanism is in the open position, the closed position, or in transit between the two positions. The straw drinking cup further includes an advantageous venting mechanism that includes a flexible membrane that permits air to flow into the container only when a sufficient pressure differential is developed across the membrane, such as will occur when a consumer is sucking on the flexible straw. The venting mechanism further operates so as to prevent leakage from the container, as sufficient pressure will not exist to draw any liquid across the flexible membrane.

Abstract: A plurality of configurations is simultaneously formed in a material by a single laser beam having a desired distribution pattern of wavelengths. An input laser beam has an initial wavelength distribution pattern. The initial wavelength distribution pattern is adjusted or modified into a desired final wavelength distribution pattern. For example, the initial wavelength distribution pattern is a wide range of wavelengths in a single bell-curve distribution while the desired final wavelength distribution pattern has a specific number of sharp peaks each over a predetermined narrow range. The laser beam having the desired final wavelength distribution pattern is focused upon on a material. Because of the multiple peaks in the wavelength distribution, the laser beam is focused at a plurality of the focal distances. A number of structures is simultaneously formed in a material at the multiple focal points or at multiple locations/depths when the above laser beam is projected onto the material.

Abstract: The present invention provides a non-lethal projectile for delivering an electric pulse to a target. In one aspect of the invention, the projectile utilizes a piezoelectric device and an electrical oscillating circuit in order to generate a pulse. In another aspect of the invention, the projectile utilizes a piezoelectric device and a mechanical oscillating circuit in order to generate an electric pulse. Since the projectile of the present invention contains the structure to generate the required electric pulse, it can be employed effectively at distances of up to 150 meters.

Abstract: A method for treatment of cachexia and or alleviating one or more symptoms of cachexia involving the step of administering, to a human or animal, a composition including ingredients obtainable from turmeric, ginger, green tea, and, optionally, horseradish. This composition may further include a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

Abstract: A language such as English or a language group such as an Asian language group is recognized based upon document image data. The document image data is processed to determine a minimal circumscribing rectangle for each character. The layout characteristics of the minimal circumscribing rectangles are quantified in a discrete number of ranges. The layout characteristic information includes a certain ratio with respect to the minimal circumscribing rectangle height and width as well as a black pixel density in the minimal circumscribing rectangle. Based upon the quantified layout characteristic information, an occurrence probability of a predetermined number of characters is determined using training data for a predetermined number of languages. The occurrence probability is stored in a table for later reference for an unknown input language.

Abstract: A brachytherapy device for the provision of brachytherapy is disclosed. The brachytherapy device has at least one source lumen located outside a movable surface of the device. The source lumen may be secured to the movable outer surface in a manner whereby relative movement of the source lumen relative to the movable outer surface is permitted. The brachytherapy device is inserted into a body cavity. After insertion, the movable surface is moved to position the at least one source lumen closer to the tissue boundary of the cavity. One or more sources of radiation are then placed within the at least one source lumen to provide a customizable treatment. Also disclosed are methods for providing brachytherapy via body cavities.

Abstract: A PEFS (Piezoelectric Finger Sensor) acts as an “electronic finger” capable of accurately and non-destructively measuring both the Young's compression modulus and shear modulus of tissues with gentle touches to the surface. The PEFS measures both the Young's compression modulus and shear modulus variations in tissue generating a less than one-millimeter spatial resolution up to a depth of several centimeters. This offers great potential for in-vivo early detection of diseases. A portable hand-held device is also disclosed. The PEF offers superior sensitivity.

Abstract: A brachytherapy device for the provision of brachytherapy is disclosed. The brachytherapy device has at least one source lumen located outside a movable surface of the device. The source lumen may be secured to the movable outer surface in a manner whereby relative movement of the source lumen relative to the movable outer surface is permitted. The brachytherapy device is inserted into a body cavity. After insertion, the movable surface is moved to position the at least one source lumen closer to the tissue boundary of the cavity. One or more sources of radiation are then placed within the at least one source lumen to provide a customizable treatment. Also disclosed are methods for providing brachytherapy via body cavities.

Abstract: An easy open end for a container includes an end panel having a score defined therein that defines a removable end panel portion. The score is preferably notched to define a bottom edge having a continuous V-shaped recess. A first double fold is defined adjacent to and positioned radially inward from the score that defines beneath the score a first outwardly projecting extending cut protection bead. A second double fold is defined adjacent to and positioned radially outward from the score that defines beneath the score a second inwardly projecting cut protection bead. The end panel is elastically deformed in an area near the score so as to define a concave depression about the score, which provides enhanced cut protection.

Abstract: A flow meter for a variable displacement compressor comprises a movable body operable to move by differential pressure, a magnet provided in the movable body, a magnetic sensor for detecting change of magnetic flux density of the magnet, a flow passage for refrigerant gas which is discharged from cylinder bores to flow therethrough, a sealed chamber connected perpendicularly to the flow passage and accommodating therein the movable body, an urging member for urging the movable body into the flow passage, a clearance formed between a movable body and an inner wall surface of the flow passage, a by-pass passage opened and closed as the movable body is moved in an axial direction of the movable body, and a communication passage for introducing into the sealed chamber the refrigerant gas in a downstream flow passage of the flow passage which is located downstream of the movable body.

Abstract: The invention provides a mold for use in a wheel blow-molding device. The mold has a first half and a second half, each half having a rotation direction and a transverse direction perpendicular to the rotation direction, each half having a container-shaped cavity, adapted to receive a parison, wherein the cavity has a body portion and a neck portion; and a blow pin tip disposed in the mold, adapted to be inserted into an open end of the parison in the neck portion of the cavity, the blow pin tip being adapted to blow a gas into the parison to blow mold a container.

Abstract: To facilitate the use of portable digital devices such as cell phones, printer processing stations are proposed for printing the information that is accessible through the portable digital devices. In general, the portable digital devices have easy access to an enormous amount of information but are equipped with a relatively small display screen without an on-board printing capability. To solve the above dilemma, readily available printer stations allow the user to print a selectable portion of the information at one of the predetermined locations and conveniently charge the user for a print fee.

Abstract: A diaphragm pump for pumping a fluid includes a housing, a pump chamber defined in the housing, a first diaphragm for sealing the pump chamber, a pressure control chamber defined in the housing adjacent to the pump chamber via the first diaphragm, a second diaphragm for sealing the pressure control chamber, a drive mechanism operable to deform the first and second diaphragms, an introduction passage for introducing into the pressure control chamber a part of the fluid that is discharged from the pump chamber, and a pressure regulating valve disposed in the introduction passage for adjusting a pressure in the pressure control chamber to a medium pressure between a suction pressure and a discharge pressure.

Abstract: The picture archiving and communication system (PACS) substantially optimizes a post-scanning command process in accordance with a user-specified priority for further processing a selected set of imaging data that has been collected by medical imaging devices such as a CT scanner and a MRI scanner and stored in distributed storage units on the network. The user-specified priority includes the least response time, the least costs and the least network traffic. The user-specified priority is optionally fixed in some preferred embodiments.

Abstract: A base structure having a bearing surface defining a bearing plane and an inner portion spaced apart from the bearing surface in a direction that is substantially perpendicular to the bearing plane. The inner portion includes a first surface, a second surface spaced apart from said first surface, and a step merging said first surface with second surface.