Abstract: A cable connector coupling having a nut for attachment to a cable connector and a body joined to the nut so that the cable of the cable connector passes through the nut and body, the nut having a first internal annular groove and the body having a first external annular groove, with a lock ring positioned in the first grooves so that the nut and body translate axially together, an annular engagement ring positioned around the body for sliding axially on the body, the engagement ring having a second internal annular groove and the body having a second external annular groove, with a drive ring positioned in the second grooves, with the nut and engagement ring axially interengaging for varying the overall axial length of the nut and body as the nut is rotated relative to the body, with the body and engagement ring interengaging for limiting rotation of the engagement ring relative to the body, and with the drive ring and body interengaging for urging the engagement ring and nut into engagement for limiting rota

Abstract: The present invention is directed to method of converting, or transdifferentiating the epidermal cells into viable neurons useful in both cell therapy and gene therapy treatment methodologies. The method of transdifferentiating epidermal cells into neuronal cells comprises the following steps: obtaining skin cells from a patient; dedifferentiating these cells with an appropriate medium, neurotrophin or cytokine; transfecting the skin cells with one or more expression vector(s) encoding at least one neurogenic transcription factor or active fragments thereof; expressing at least one of the neurogenic transcription factors; growing the transfected cells in an appropriate medium; and adding to the medium one or more antisense oligonucleotide(s) corresponding to at least one negative regulator of neuronal differentiation, whereby the epidermal cells are transdifferentiated into neuronal cells.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and article of manufacture for an index screening system. A query is executed to access data stored on a data storage device connected to a computer. In particular, while accessing one or more indexes to retrieve row identifiers, index matching predicates in the query are applied to select row identifiers and index screening predicates in the query are applied to eliminate one or more selected row identifiers.

Abstract: The self-watering assembly is used in combination with a conventional planter having flow hole apertures formed within a base thereof. The assembly includes a set of water-permeable flow hole inserts each including a portion of capillary material such as spandex. The flow hole inserts are inserted into a flow hole of the planter for direct contact with soil positioned therein. The flow hole inserts are sized and shaped to securely fit within the flow hole preventing soil from falling out of the flow hole and preventing roots from growing through the flow hole. Additional capillary material, also formed of spandex, couples an interior of a water reservoir to the capillary material of the water-permeable inserts. By using spandex as the capillary material, sufficient capillary flow may be achieved to properly water even medium to large sized plants.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and article for solving the year 2000 problem involves limited modifications in the data definition portions of the source code and compiler support for processing the modified source code. Fields in the source code that contain a year or date values are identified and, for each such field, the user selects an appropriate technique (for example, expansion, compression or windowing). The user modifies the data definition for each identified field, by adding new attributes to request the selected technique. The user then compiles the program and resolves any ambiguous references to the variables whose definitions were modified. This procedure is applied, module by module, and each processed module is merged into production, after testing, by using a compiler option to disable the use of the new attributes.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and article for solving the year 2000 problem involves limited modifications in the data definition portions of the source code and compiler support for processing the modified source code. Fields in the source code that contain a year or date values are identified and, for each such field, the user selects an appropriate technique (for example, expansion, compression or windowing). The user modifies the data definition for each identified field, by adding new attributes to request the selected technique. The user then compiles the program and resolves any ambiguous references to the variables whose definitions were modified. This procedure is applied, module by module, and each processed module is merged into production, after testing, by using a compiler option to disable the use of the new attributes.

Abstract: An expandable microwave popcorn package which contains a charge of popcorn kernels suitable for preparation in a microwave oven. The package is formed of front and back panels preferably joined together at the top and bottom ends and at the sides by side panels. The back panel includes two or more sections which are joined along slightly overlapping edges and bonded together by a releasable adhesive, thereby forming lap seam(s). Conversion of the package into a serving vessel is made possible by the releasable nature of the adhesive which allows the lap seam(s) to be disengaged after the popping process is complete. Thus the back panel sections can be detached, and possibly removed, to expose the popcorn within the package. Ideally the heat and steam created by the popping process will diminish the bonding strength of the releasable adhesive thereby enhancing the conversion.

Abstract: A retraction unit for keys and the like having a housing with a reel mounted in the housing for rotation, a retraction spring for the reel, and a cable carried on the reel, with the inner end of the cable connected to the reel, and a cable end fitting carried on the outer end of the cable.

Abstract: A closure is provided for use with a drink container wherein the closure includes an inner member, having an opening formed therein for receiving a straw and having a peripheral portion for mounting to the drink container, and an outer member configured to be fitted to the inner member forming a compartment therebetween. The outer member also has an opening, with the opening of the outer member aligned with the opening of the inner member while the outer member is fitted to the inner member. The aligned openings permit penetration of a straw therethrough. The inner member is shaped to prevent any beverage from within the drink container from entering the compartment even while a straw penetrates the aligned openings of the inner and outer members.

Abstract: A method and devices are provided for performing end-to-side anastomoses between the severed end of a first hollow organ and the side-wall of a second hollow organ utilizing transluminal approach with endoscopic assistance, wherein the first and second hollow organs can be secured utilizing a biocompatible glue, clips or by suturing. In an alternative embodiment, the method utilizes a modified cutter catheter which is introduced into the first hollow organ in combination with a receiver catheter which is introduced into the second hollow organ. The distal end of the receiver catheter includes a receiver cavity and a selectively activatable magnetic material.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating a Common Gateway Interface (CGI) adaptor customized for a stored procedure. In accordance with the present invention, stored procedure application developers can provides their stored procedure to a builder, which creates a CGI adaptor customized for the stored procedure. To generate the CGI adaptor, the builder parses the stored procedure to identify the arguments of the stored procedure. Then, using the stored procedure arguments, the builder generates logic to extract variables from an input data stream, wherein the variables correspond to the arguments of the stored procedure. The builder also generates logic to invoke the stored procedure using the variables extracted from the input data stream. The generated logic comprises the customized CGI adaptor.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and article of manufacture for a computer implemented storage mechanism for persistent objects in a database management system. A statement is executed in a computer. The statement is performed by the computer to manipulate data in a database stored on a data storage device connected to the computer. It is determined that an object is to be stored in an inline buffer. When the object can be entirely stored in the inline buffer, the object is stored in the inline buffer. When the object cannot be entirely stored in the inline buffer, a selected portion of the object is stored in the inline buffer and the remaining portion of the object is stored as a large object.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and article for solving the year 2000 problem involves limited modifications in the data definition portions of the source code and compiler or interpreter support for processing the modified source code. Fields in the source code that contain a year or date values are identified and, for each such field, the user selects an appropriate technique (for example, expansion, compression or windowing). The user modifies the data definition for each identified field, by adding new attributes to request the selected technique. The user then compiles or interprets the program and resolves any ambiguous references to the variables whose definitions were modified. This procedure is applied, module by module, and each processed module is merged into production, after testing, by using a compiler option to disable the use of the new attributes.

Abstract: A handle assembly used for actuating the latch mechanism of an aircraft door to control the opening and the closing of the aircraft door. The handle assembly includes an interior handle, an exterior handle, an actuator, and an exterior housing having a recess. The interior handle and the exterior handle each have an open and a closed position, respectively, and are connected to the actuator. The actuator is rotatably mounted within the exterior housing and the exterior housing is mountable within the aircraft door. The actuator may be secured to the latch mechanism of the aircraft door and the latch mechanism may be operated by the actuator. The rotation of the interior handle to the open position moves the actuator such that the latch mechanism is actuated to the open position allowing the aircraft door to be opened. A cam is connected to the interior handle and is rotatably mounted relative to the exterior handle.

Abstract: An expandable microwave popcorn package which contains a charge of popcorn kernels for preparation in a microwave oven. The package is formed of front and back panels preferably joined together at the top and bottom ends by an adhesive and at the sides by side panels. The back panel includes a pair of separation lines along which the package material is relatively weak such that a portion of the back panel can be torn from the remainder of the package to expose the popcorn within. Separation lines may be formed by weakening a portion of the bag substrate, by reinforcing the adjacent areas, or by a combination of the two. Side panels are folded to form gussets which allow the package to remain flat during storage, to expand to accommodate the popped kernels. A susceptor is also preferably placed on the front panel opposite the back panel to enhance the popping action.