Abstract: A method of making c-axis perpendicularly oriented barium hexaferrite thin films by the crystallization of amorphous barium hexaferrite on a platinum underlayer is provided. Using a thin underlayer of platinum, barium hexaferrite films can be deposited by conventional rf diode or magnetron sputtering. Such deposition may be performed at room temperature, after which excellent c-axis perpendicular orientation can be achieved by rapid ex-situ annealing. The c-axis perpendicular orientation can also be achieved through in-situ annealing.

Abstract: A method of monitoring and inspecting an edge of strip metal includes providing at least one image producer having a field of view that substantially frames the edge, using the at least one image producer to form a first series of images of the edge after the edge has been formed by a knife; and analyzing in real time the first series of images to determine the shear angle and/or the burr height of the edge.

Abstract: A computer-implemented system for auditing a total exposure of an entity, the total exposure forming the basis of a premium amount to be charged to the entity for an insurance policy. A first means for receiving a plurality of exposure information records from a first source is provided. Each of the exposure information records from the first source corresponds to a location of the entity and a class code associated with the location of the entity. A database, coupled to the first means for receiving, is provided for storing the exposure records from the first source.

Abstract: Methods are provided for treating sepsis/endotoxin-induced acute renal failure, and renal vasoconstriction and catecholamine-induced renal and mesenteric vasconstriction by administering to a patient a therapeutically effective amount of a composition comprising at least one drug with Type IV phosphodiesterase inhibiting activity or any combination thereof and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

Abstract: A method is described for retrieval of phylogenetically informative DNA sequences which comprise searching for a highly divergent segment of genomic DNA surrounded by two highly conserved segments, designing the universal primers for PCR amplification of the highly divergent region, and amplifying the genomic DNA by PCR technique using universal primers.

Abstract: An improved key for keyboard musical instruments, being particularly suited for reduced width keys, provides for greater structural stiffness and torsional rigidity to improve the feel and response of the key. The key comprises a playing end member mounted on top of one end of a bracing member and a key shank mounted on top of the second end of the bracing member, with the free end of the key shank able to engage a capstan mechanism.

Abstract: A drilling fluid system that combines a carbon black/asphaltite/lignite mixture with a fish oil/glycol mixture; and a method for manufacturing a drilling fluid system that could be utilized with pre-existing water based muds during drilling and excavating applications.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for objectively monitoring the performance of a group of health-care providers. In-patient payment claim records representative of in-patient health-care services performed for patients by health-care providers within the group of health-care providers and out-patient payment claim records representative of out-patient health-care services performed for patients by health-care providers within group of health-care providers are stored in databases. A plurality of sickness episode data records are built from the in-patient payment claim records and the out-patient payment claim records, and an objective severity adjustment analysis is performed on the sickness episode data records to form a plurality of severity-adjusted sickness episode data records.

Abstract: A carton for use as a transit pack, and which is convertible to a display tray, is formed from a single blank of material. The carton includes a lower section from which the display tray is formed and an upper section which mates with the lower section to form a transit pack of substantially conventional outward appearance. The upper and lower sections of the carton at least partially overlap each other, and at least one connection tab operates to join the upper and lower sections together. The connection tab includes a line of weakness which can be broken to separate the upper and lower sections, whereby the carton may be converted to a display tray by removing the upper section.

Abstract: A non-naturally occurring mutant hemoglobin (.alpha.96Val.fwdarw.Trp) is provided that has a lower oxygen affinity than that of native hemoglobin, but high cooperativity in oxygen binding. The mutant hemoglobin is preferably obtained by recombinant DNA techniques. Such a mutant hemoglobin may be used as a component of a blood substitute.

Abstract: A footwear includes an upper portion connected to a sole and a highback connected to the upper portion. An adjusting mechanism is operably associated with the highback. The adjusting mechanism includes at least one flexible member connectively associated with the highback and a locking member operably associated with the flexible member. The adjusting mechanism is operable to lock the footwear in one or more substantially rigid positions and can be used to set a forward leaning position of the footwear.

Abstract: A non-mechanical switch for actuating a light beam scanning device disposed within a device housing. The device housing has a first area for emitting a scanning light beam from the device. The switch is formed of a light source and a light detector disposed within the device housing, the light source emits light through a second area on the device housing. The light detector is adapted to receive light emitted from the light source and reflected back through the second area toward the light detector by an object disposed outside of the device housing. The light detector has an output signal that is coupled by electronic circuitry to a light beam scanner within the light beam scanning device. The electronic circuitry is adapted to selectively actuate the light beam scanning device in response to the output signal from the light detector. The first area on the device housing for emitting the scanning light beam from the device is separate from the second area on the device housing.

Abstract: A continuous process for making a structural foam panel with a stiffener is described, and a continuous assembly line for the process is described. The continuous assembly line includes decoilers for decoiling top and bottom skins, uncoilers for releasing top and bottom stiffeners, straighteners for threading and attaching the stiffeners to the skins, respectively, roll formers for shaping both skins and stiffeners into a structural shape, a foam injector for injecting foam between the skins to form an integrated continuous panel, a foam conveyor for pressing the integrated continuous panel, an oven for curing the integrated continuous panel, a clamp and cut-off saw for cutting the continuous panel, and a computer to control the saw to cut the continuous panel into selected kits of discrete panels to assemble selected buildings.

Abstract: Improved methodology and apparatus for the clinical study and treatment of sleep apnea which incorporates one or more of the following features: (1) application of mono-level, alternating high and low level, or variable positive airway pressure generally within the airway of the patient with the mono-level, high and low level, or variable airway pressure generally being coordinated with and/or responsive to the spontaneous respiration of the patient, (2) usage of adjustably programmable pressure ramp circuitry capable of producing multiple pressure ramp cycles of predetermined duration and pattern whereby the ramp cycles may be customized to accommodate the specific needs of an individual sleep apnea patient so as to ease the patient's transition from wakefulness to sleep, (3) remote control or patient-sensed operation of the apparatus, (4) employment of safety circuitry, reset circuitry and minimum system leak assurance circuitry, controls and methods, and (5) utilization of clinical control circuitry whereb

Abstract: A system for parsing information representative of a sequence of words having parts of speech. The sequence of words forms a sentence or sentence fragment. A hidden Markov model is provided for determining the most likely part of speech of a selected word of the sequence of words. The hidden Markov model has an initial transition matrix and a subsequent transition matrix for storing probabilities of occurrence of the parts of speech. The initial transition matrix of the hidden Markov model is removed to provide a modified hidden Markov model. The modified hidden Markov model is applied to the sequence of words to determine the most likely part of speech of a selected word within a sentence fragment with increased accuracy.

Abstract: An apparatus for capturing and storing a co-marketer identification symbol representing an identity of an entity that has referred a user on a user station to a computer service, wherein the user station is coupled to the computer service by a communications path. A database is provided for storing a plurality of user records. Each of the user records includes a user identification field for storing information uniquely associating each of the user records with a user, and a co-marketer identification field for storing identity information representing the identity of an entity that directed the user to the computer service. An enrollment means is coupled to the communications path and the database, and is provided for enrolling a user on the computer service. The enrollment means includes means for determining a co-marketer that directed the user to the computer service, and means for assigning a unique user identification number to the user.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for redirecting a user from a first location on the WWW to a second location on the WWW, wherein relative URL addressing is used during the redirecting process. A signal is received from the first location indicating that the user wishes to move from the first location on the WWW to the second location on said WWW. In response to the signal, a current URL representing an address of the first location on the WWW and a destination URL portion representative of an address of the second location on the WWW are passed to a redirecting means. The current URL includes first and second portions. A destination URL is formed with redirecting means by substituting the destination URL portion in place of the second portion in the current URL, wherein the destination URL represents a relative address of the second location on the WWW. The user is then moved from the first location on the WWW to the second location on the WWW in accordance with the destination URL formed by the redirecting means.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a press feed apparatus for use in feeding stock material to a high speed automatic press. The feed roller is driven by a servo motor integral with the shaft of the roller, the feed roller release mechanism is infinitely adjustable, and a feedback system is used to accurately determine the position of various shafts. The apparatus is controlled electronically, by a microprocessor or the like, which permits the press feed to be electronically geared to the press and accurately operate at high speeds.