Abstract: A lubricating apparatus for a ball screw which can sufficiently lubricate even in a high load usage is disposed between a ball nut and a screw shaft, and a polymer member containing a lubricant being mainly in slidable contact with an outer diameter portion of the screw shaft is mounted to at least any one of both ends of the ball nut and a space including a ball not-passing space in an inner portion of the ball nut. The polymer member prevents the lubricant attached to the thread groove of the screw shaft from being scraped off during oscillations of the screw shaft, such that the lubricant attached to the thread groove can be efficiently maintained.

Abstract: Provided are methods for preparing improved biologically active micelle and crystalline products comprising a biologically active amphipathic compound in association with a micelle or crystalline product. Methods for producing the micelle or crystalline products as well as methods of using the micelle or crystalline products in therapeutic, diagnostic, and cosmetic, applications are also provided.

Abstract: A vacuum waste system having reduced noise levels associated therewith. The vacuum waste system includes a sanitary unit for initially receiving waste. An intermediate container is connected to the sanitary unit by a first sewer pipe and a first sewer valve. A receptacle is connected to the intermediate container by a second sewer pipe and a second sewer valve. The system also includes a vacuum pump for generating vacuum in the second sewer pipe, intermediate container, and first sewer pipe. Transfer of waste from the sanitary unit to the receptacle is performed in two stages. In a first stage, the first valve is opened and the second valve is closed so that vacuum transports the waste from the sanitary unit to the intermediate container. In the second stage, the first valve is closed and the second valve is opened to transfer the waste from the intermediate container through the second sewer pipe.

Abstract: A method of controlling a fluid in a life support system including at least one of a G-suit and a counterpressure garment including utilizing a control system comprising a control valve having a moveable part which is moved by an actuator in response to an input to the control system to operate the valve to bring a parameter of the fluid towards a desired value, the input being conditioned to provide a control signal to cause the actuator to move the moveable part of the valve and wherein the method comprises conditioning the input by comparing the input with reference information relating to the position of the moveable part of the valve, and when the comparison indicates that the position of the moveable part of the valve is not at a desired position, issuing the control signal incrementally to move the moveable part and updating the reference information so that the updated reference information is available for future comparison with the input.

Abstract: This invention describes a secure method for consistently reproducing a digital key using a biometric, such as a fingerprint. The digital key is linked to the biometric only through a secure block of data, known as the protected filter. The key cannot be released from the protected filter other than via the interaction with the correct biometric image. Once generated, the digital key may be used in a system as an encryption/decryption key, or as a personal identification number (PIN).

Abstract: A taper nut retention device mechanically fastens a plurality of pressure reduction disks. A cage end member at one end of the stacked disks has a series of counterbores, each aligned with respective mounting holes in each disk. A second cage end member at the other end of the stack has a series of inwardly converging, tapered bores with shallow taper angles, each aligned with respective mounting holes and a counterbore. A taper nut with a threaded interior and an outer tapered surface with a shallow taper angle matching the tapered bore is inserted into and engageably contacts the tapered bore. A threaded bolt is inserted into the counterbore and through the disk mounting holes to threadably engage the taper nut. Tightening of the bolt and nut mechanically secures the stacked disk assembly. A process for making the stacked disk assembly wherein each disk and the cage end members are plated with nickel and the components are fused together in a brazing oven.

Abstract: End caps are respectively joined to opposite ends of a slider main body of a linear guide apparatus. Each end cap has curved passage for bringing the load rolling-element rolling groove of the slider main body into communication with the rolling-element return passage to thereby construct a rolling-element circulating passage for circulating a plurality of rolling elements. At least a portion of the end caps in contact with at least one of the rolling elements and guide rail is made of an oil containing material.

Abstract: Disclosed are novel culture media for the artificial or industrial cultivation of Sparassis crispa (Sparassis crispa Wulf.:Fr), comprising larch-tree sawdust and/or chips extracted with heated water or vapor, and methods for producing the same.

Abstract: A recursive on-line wavelet data compression technique which may be used in, for example, a process control network, compresses a stream of data points on-line or in real-time (e.g., as the data arrives or is generated) without requiring the storage of a large amount of uncompressed data. The data compression system includes a data receiver that receives the data points in a sequential manner and a compression tree computation device that determines approximation coefficients and detail coefficients of a multi-layer wavelet compression tree from the received data points. The compression tree computation device determines all of the coefficients of the higher level layers of the compression tree that can be determined after the data receiver receives each of the data points to thereby perform on-line or real-time data compression.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for treating a subject suffering from infection with Mycobacteria, such as M. leprae or M. tuberculosis comprising administering to the subject a composition comprising a bactericidal/permeability-inducing (BPI) protein product alone or in combination with administration of an anti-Mycobacterial antibiotic.

Abstract: The invention relates to a handpiece (1) in particular for medical or dental purposes, having a connection device (3) for a tool (4) which is arranged in the forward end region of the hand piece (1), and having a settable stop device (6) for limiting the penetration depth of the tool (4), which stop device has a stop part (7), which is adjustable in a guide (8) longitudinally of the penetration depth of the tool (4) and is secured in the respective adjusted position by means of a clamping force (11). For the purpose of more ready setting of the stop part the clamping force (11) is elastic and on the one hand is so great that it secures the stop part (7) against displacing forces effective in functional operation, and on the other hand is only so large that the stop part (7) can be manually displaced, and in that the stop part (7) is of a hard elastically bendable material and sits in the guide (8) bowed so far that its return bending force (11a) gives rise to the clamping force (11).

Abstract: Substituted sodium salts of phosphides are prepared by reacting a triarylphosphine with sodium in an aliphatic amine or diamine as a solvent or co-solvent. The resultant phosphides may be further treated with appropriate halides to produce unsymmetrical phosphines.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for the production of a transgenic plant of rice crop comprising the steps of infecting an immature embryo of rice crop with the genus Agrobacterium for transformation; co-culturing the infected embryo with a dicot suspension culture during the step of transformation; allowing the transformed embryo to grow into a callus in a selective medium comprising a sufficient amount of a plant growth hormone for the growth of rice crop; and allowing the cultured callus to regenerate root and shoot in a regeneration medium comprising a pre-determined amount of nutrients for the growth of rice crop. The invention is further directed to a transformed rice plant made by methods of this invention.

Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing candy and simulating at least one candy making process. The apparatus has a chamber for storing real candies and a dispensing opening through which the candies are discharged. A dispensing mechanism is located between the chamber and the dispensing opening and adapted to periodically dispense pieces of candy. The apparatus includes at least one simulated candy processing station, such as a mixing station, a candy forming station, or a candy wrapping station. The dispensing mechanism and simulated candy processing station(s) are coupled to a drive assembly, such as a gear train, disposed within an apparatus housing. The drive mechanism simultaneously operates the dispensing mechanism and simulated station(s) when actuated, such as by a switch. The apparatus dispenses real candies while the simulated candy processing stations operate to create the appearance that the apparatus is actually making the candy.

Abstract: A merchandise display unit having a foot design supporting a rack which allows the display unit to be easily combined with up to three additional similarly formed display units. The feet of the display unit have front and rear supports projecting past corresponding front and rear sides of the supported rack. The rear supports are offset with respect to the front supports to allow two display units to be arranged back to back with the racks substantially aligned. The front and rear supports are also shaped so that the rear supports may be inserted through the front supports, thereby allowing third and fourth display units to be arranged transversely of the first and second display units. The feet not only provide a modular design, but also minimize the amount of floor space needed for the display arrangements.

Abstract: A modular coolant manifold for use with a power electronics device having a heat sink is disclosed. The modular coolant manifold comprises a base unit having an inlet side, an outlet side, and a pair of interconnecting sidewalls. A portion of the base unit defines a recess adapted to receive the heat sink of the electronics device. The base unit includes an internal coolant passage extending between an inlet port defined in the inlet side and an outlet port defined in the outlet side. The coolant passage is in flow communication with the recess. An inlet manifold is adapted for attachment to the base unit inlet side. The inlet manifold includes an inlet port, a transfer port, and a coolant passage interconnecting the inlet port and the transfer port. The inlet manifold transfer port is in flow communication with the base inlet port. An outlet manifold is adapted for attachment to the base unit outlet side.

Abstract: In one aspect of the invention, a dual-mode infrared/radio frequency (IR/RF) transmitter is secured within a wristband worn by the mother and within an ankle and/or wristband worn by the infant. In a matching mode of operation, IR signals are received by infrared receivers located within the various rooms of the hospital to precisely and automatically determine by proximity that mother and infant are correctly united. In a presence detecting mode, RF signals from the infant's badge are detected by RF receivers located throughout the maternity ward of the hospital or throughout the hospital generally. In a security mode, RF receivers located proximate exits of either of the maternity ward and/or the hospital detect RF signals from the ankle and provide a signal to generate an alarm.

Abstract: The present invention provides purified and isolated polynucleotides encoding IRP (Integrin Regulatory Protein) polypeptides which regulate &bgr;2 and &bgr;7 integrins and which are contemplated to participate in integrin signaling and/or recycling pathways. Also provided are methods for identifying modulators of IRP activities and methods for identifying other proteins which interact with IRP polypeptides in signaling pathways. Modulators of IRP interactions are contemplated to be useful, for example, in monitoring and treating inflammatory processes involving leukocytes.