Abstract: A programmatic time-gap defect correction apparatus and method corrects errors which may go undetected by a computer system. Buffer underruns or overruns, which may incur errors in data transfers, yet remain undetected and uncorrected in a computer system, are corrected by an error avoidance module in accordance with the invention. Bytes transferred to and from buffers, used by an I/O controllers to temporarily store data while being transferred between synchronous and asynchronous devices, are counted and an error condition is forced based on the count. If the count exceeds the capacity of the buffer, an error condition is forced, thereby reducing chances that errors are incurred into the data transfer.

Abstract: An anchoring assembly for securing an electrical fixture to a connection box. The assembly may include a receiver having a first engagement mechanism. The receiver may be formed to receive an anchor exclusively by translation in the longitudinal direction. The anchor may have a second engagement mechanism formed as a cantilever extending in substantially the longitudinal direction. The second engagement mechanism may support at least one engagement location. Additionally, the second engagement mechanism may be arranged to deflect when, upon insertion, an engagement location of the at least one engagement position passes the first engagement mechanism.

Abstract: A method for assessing a condition of an organism having body waves corresponding to states of the organism. The method includes the step of recording signals corresponding to a body wave, output by a portion of the organism in a first state, to provide a first record. In a similar manner, signals are recorded during a time period in which the organism is in a second state, to provide a second record. The first and second records, are processed by applying feature expansion procedures thereto. The results of the feature expansion procedures are evaluated to identify first selected feature expansion procedures effective to distinguish values of the first signals corresponding to the first state from values of the first signals corresponding to the second state.

Abstract: A lightweight axle assembly may include a bracket at each end thereof for receiving a mount at one of a plurality of positions thereon. The mount may include a standoff for spacing an actual wheel assembly a suitable distance from the bracket. The axle may be formed to include a beam for suitable cross section including I-beams, channels, or boxes, as well as cylindrical tubes. Wheels may be mounted to spindles rigidly attached, to driving axles contained within the axle assembly, or to kingpins secured to the mounts. The axle may be adjusted to accommodate a broad range of suitable, relative, distances between the mounting surface (top or bottom of the axle end) and the center line of a wheel assembly associated with the axle. Forged mounts may be manufactured to accomplish structural objectives. Meanwhile, areas of less stress may be fabricated from lighter materials of various unconventional configurations.

Abstract: The invention provides peptides designed to be highly reactive with antibodies from patients infected with oncogenic HPV. Also disclosed is a method for their use in an immunoassay to detect HPV infection and HPV associated epithelial cell abnormalities, most notably those associated with premalignant and malignant epithelial cell lesions. The peptides and the disclosed method are particularly useful for diagnosing carcinomas of the uterine cervix, or pre-stages thereof, or those at risk of development of carcinoma. The detection can be effected on blood samples, or other bodily fluid or tissue, by ascertaining the presence of IgA or IgG antibodies against HPV 16 and/or 18.

Abstract: A signal interpretation engine apparatus and method are disclosed as including a computer programmed to run a feature expansion module, a weight table module, a consolidation module, and a map generation module. The feature expansion module contains feature operators for operating on a signal to expand the signal to form a feature map of feature segments. Each feature segment corresponds to a unique representation of the signal created by a feature operator from the signal across an epoch. An epoch corresponds to an event within a time segment. A consolidation module applies aggregators to consolidate the inner products or superposition segments into a distribution function representing an attribute over a domain reflecting a selected weight table, aggregator, and event type, corresponding to each value of the attribute.

Abstract: A burnishing tool is disclosed in one presently preferred embodiment of the present invention as including a first end, a second opposing end, and an elongated intermediate portion disposed between the first and second ends. The intermediate portion of the burnishing tool is formed having a general arcuate configuration and includes a main body and a handle. The main body of the intermediate portion comprises a dimensional width greater than the dimensional width of the handle such that the burnishing tool fits comfortably and conveniently within the contour of a hand of a user.

Abstract: A connector structure of a circuit board for a power supply apparatus includes an insulating housing, conductive terminals, and at least one supporting rods with each connected to the mounting surface of the insulating housing and having a pillared portion, a first protruding latch and a second protruding latch both extending laterally from a first location and a second location on the pillared portion of the supporting rod respectively. The thickness of a first circuit board is different from the thickness of a second circuit board, thus when a supporting rod passes through a first pinhole on the first circuit board, the first protruding latch props against a bottom of the first circuit board, and when a supporting rod passes through a second pinhole on the second circuit board, the second protruding latch props against a bottom of the second circuit board to prevent a movement of the connector respectively.

Abstract: A message distribution limiter computer program and method are provided. The method preferably includes receiving a site address of target data stored at a remote site on a computer network; locating the target data stored at the remote site; examining the target data to determine if user addresses are present in the target data; extracting user addresses from the target data; and compiling a database containing the extracted user addresses. The method also preferably includes the steps of downloading the target data to a local memory; locating within the target data one or more embedded site addresses of remote sites on the computer network for locating additional target data referenced within the remote sites; screening the embedded site addresses according to a user-selectable criterion; and screening the target data according to a user-selectable criterion such that user addresses are extracted only from target data meeting the selected criterion.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for repairing severed or unattached soft tissue of the body, such as tendons, typically includes an anchor for engaging the soft tissue and a securement mechanism designed to securely attach the anchor to the soft tissue and to abut the soft tissue against a surface. The surface may be second soft tissue, a bone, or the like. The anchor may be formed as a plate and may include a plurality of apertures formed therein. Selected apertures of the plurality of apertures formed in the anchor may be configured to receive sutures therethrough. Other apertures of the plurality of apertures formed in the anchor may be configured to permit synovial fluid to contact the soft tissue below the anchor. The anchor may also include a plurality of teeth extending generally away from one surface of the anchor in a transverse direction and configured to penetrate soft tissue. Such teeth are typically configured to substantially restrict longitudinal movement between the anchor and the soft tissue.

Abstract: A closed circuit fuel nozzle for engaging an adapter on a fuel tank. The nozzle may include a body having an inlet aperture, a tubular assembly, an outlet aperture, and walls forming a closed flow path from the inlet aperture to a tubular assembly. The distal end of the tubular assembly may form the outlet for the nozzle. The tubular assembly may comprise a tube extending in the longitudinal direction and a sealing collar secured proximate the distal end to form the outlet. An articulator may provide resilient articulation of the sealing collar with respect to the tube about lateral and transverse axes. A biasing member may urge the tubular assembly distally in the longitudinal direction. A poppet valve may be selectively translatable in the longitudinal direction and shaped to stop flow through the body when seated against the sealing collar.

Abstract: A paintball gun is sized and designed to appear like and operate in a manner similar to a conventional gun. A dual-action firing bolt moves forward, assisting in launching a projectile, under cast pressure. The bolt then releases the compressed gas to carry the projectile down the barrel. Return springs operate to move the bolt and its valves to a ready-to-fire position. Similarly, trigger actuation mechanisms are spring-actuated to return to the ready-to-fire position. A removable magazine stores projectiles and propellant. The magazine is small enough to fit into a handle of a pistol. A user may selectively release just the projectile portion of the magazine, in order to leave the propellant undisturbed until fully expended. The magazine can be completely removed without substantial loss of propellant.

Abstract: An extensible draw bar for facilitating coupling of a towed vehicle to a towing vehicle. An extension may be slidably secured to a static portion of a draw bar. A lock may be secured to the draw bar and be activated and deactivated to fix and release the extension, respectively. An extender may be activated to move the extension outwardly from the static portion. The extension may be slidable with respect to the lock while the lock is activated for certain positions of the extension relative to the lock. The extension may be positionable relative to the activated lock to automatically engage the lock to fix the position of the extension relative to the static portion.

Abstract: A multidirectional amusement device is shown having a support structure extending above a support surface. A ride vehicle is secured to the support structure with support lines and is allowed to move freely beneath the support towers. A retraction tower receives a tow line connected to the ride vehicle to draw the ride vehicle to a desired height. A release mechanism attached between ends of the tow line engages a stop on the retraction tower and automatically releases the ride vehicle into a pendulum motion. The ride vehicle includes an attachment portion for receiving the support lines. The ride vehicle also includes a rider platform rotatably attached to the attachment portion. The ride vehicle further includes a coupling bar having a first end pivotally secured to the attachment portion of the ride vehicle and a second end extending outwardly from the ride vehicle for engaging the release mechanism.

Abstract: Programmatic detection of time-gap defects in computer system hardware where data is corrupted without detection by the computer system. A detection module initiates data transfers between devices in a computer system. An interrupt service routine interrupts the process by inserting a delay into the data transfer. The detection module then checks for time-gap defects by determining if data was corrupted which went undetected by the computer system. The detection module may repeat the data transfer and insert successively longer delays until a time-gap defect is detected or until a maximum delay value is reached. The results of any time-gap defects found may be output to a user.

Abstract: A system and method for a software override capability for enforcing a predetermined state for an otherwise hardware-programmable device. Software that may think it knows what it is doing may try to control a hardware device, but may not know about a hardware issue, such as another feature or defect requiring that the device stay in a certain state. The technique programmnatically maintains a persistent hardware state independent of any other control software. To other software, the software layer of the invention is indistinguishable and inseparable from hardware. Nothing can slip in between. Any insertion attempt will be detected and disallowed. Features of the processor or system chips actually weld the software to the hardware, which feature disallows any software intervention between the welded software layer and the hardware.

Abstract: A pattern for camouflage and a method for making the pattern. Rely on photographic images arranged in a synthetic perspective relationship, appearing to extend toward the horizon. The photographic images are images of landscape features in a selected environment. The pattern blends in with landscape features both in proximity to and distant from the camouflage pattern. In one embodiment, the pattern is adapted to be seamlessly repeatable across a surface. In one or two dimensions the method for making the camouflage includes taking photographs and selecting photographic images that represent the landscape features in the selected environment. The method also includes separating those images and arranging them into a repeating pattern. Photographic images are arranged in synthetic perspective which includes obscuring background images with foreground images in a manner that simulates the perspective in the selected environment.

Abstract: A connection box system comprising an anchor configured to be removably secured to a fixture for delivery of a signal to a consuming device. The anchor may have a first engagement mechanism. A connection box may be configured to house lines proceeding from a signal source and terminating in the connection box for connection to the fixture. A receiver may be configured in association with the connection box to receive and retain the anchor. The receiver may have a second engagement mechanism to engage the first engagement mechanism of the anchor when the anchor is inserted therein without the aid of tools. Likewise, a face plate may be attached to the electrical fixture or connection box using clips hidden behind the surface thereof, without the use of tools. The clips may contact and retain the face plate by connecting to one or several engagement regions on the back face of the face plate.

Abstract: An apparatus for operably connecting an electrical source to a conductive coating or film. The apparatus may include a substrate made of a structural material. A conductive coating or thin film may be applied to the substrate. An interface layer may be applied over the conductive coating and conduct electricity thereto while transferring insufficient force to separate the conductive coating from the substrate. A conductor, for providing electricity to the interface layer comprising strands configured to be separable and electrically conductive, may be positioned in contact with the interface layer. A clamping mechanism may apply a clamping load urging the conductor toward the conductive coating. The strands of the conductor may be formed to distribute mechanical stress and strain induced by thermal expansion and the clamping load sufficiently to substantially reduce damage to the mechanical and electrical integrity of the conductive coating.

Abstract: Phenolic compounds with a phenolic molecule to which are covalently linked an oxygen-containing group, a nitrogen- or another oxygen containing group, and a C1-C4 alkoxy group, obtainable from monocotyledonous plants, animals that eat such plants, or chemical synthesis, have been found to act as an antidepressant or otherwise a treatment for bettering mood, a therapy for improving sexual desire or performance, an adjunctive therapy for achieving weight loss, and an adjunctive therapy for substance abuse and addiction. These compounds, at concentrations suitable for human therapeutic use, may be obtained from plants such as corn in their early growth stages and from parts of animals such as the velvet antler tips of deer and elk.