Abstract: A method, apparatus and system for allowing an end-user to define at run-time the way an object in the system will react to existing operations, or events, that are later performed on the object. In the system of the invention, the end-user can attach to the object code specifying behavior that the user wishes the object to exhibit from that point forward. The code defining the new or additional behavioral features will be interpreted by the applications software so that each time an event or operation is performed on the object, the system will recognize that the object has user-specified behavior associated therewith. The code remains associated with the object. In the system of the invention, there is no need to exit the application software. The new code specifying the desired behavior is immediately callable and executable by the system upon being input.

Abstract: A paper conveying mechanism comprises at least one pair of right and left conveying rollers, which are rotated at an identical speed and convey paper, and a driving device. The driving device simultaneously inclines the at least one pair of the right and left conveying rollers toward an identical direction along the surface of the paper, such that the axes of the at least one pair of the right and left conveying rollers are kept parallel with each other. The direction, along which the paper is conveyed with the conveying rollers, is altered easily with the simple constitution.

Abstract: Disk formatting pattern methods and apparatus are disclosed. The methods feature forming a magnetic disk format information pattern on magnetic disk media by elevating the temperature of a pattern area and exposing the area to a magnetic field. The magnetic field has a field strength sufficient to alter magnetic properties of the elevated temperature region, but insufficient to substantially alter magnetic properties of disk regions at the disk's ambient temperature. A patterning system is also featured. The system includes a light source assembly, a pattern mask, and a magnetic field source. The light source assembly is arranged to project a light beam toward a surface of a magnetic disk. The pattern mask is arranged in the path of the light beam to produce a pattern image on the disk surface, and the magnetic field source produces a magnetic field at disk surface regions receiving the pattern image.

Abstract: A Virtual Campus including interactive work plans and administrative resources presented online through a WEB interface. Through the Virtual Campus a learner can communicate with others, create and update an individual work plan, access required resources, store work, and be apprised of Virtual University announcements. While online, learners may create work groups with other learners, use a suite of business tools, interact with a registrar, or open a library data base. In addition, an online Virtual Campus can assess those skills a student has successfully mastered by analyzing progress through the aggregate of course modules completed. Academic and career guidance can be formulated referencing the accumulated detail of the students learning experience. Each software module and element can have a list of skills associated with it. The database of skills can reflect a students capabilities in greater detail than is possible using only a final course grade or grade point average.

Abstract: A method for tracking the location of mobile units, comprises providing a plurality of mobile units each having a wireless transmitter and a unique address and at least one stationary base unit having a phase array antenna with antenna elements. A signal including an address is received from at least one mobile unit by the at least base unit via the phase array antenna. The phase difference of the signal arriving at the antenna elements from each mobile unit is measured and the coordinates of the location of each mobile unit are calculated as a function of the phase differences.

Abstract: A method for producing a substantially smooth surface on a computer disk media comprises providing a substantially smooth master surface. A curable polymer dielectric composition is applied to the master surface as well as the surface of the disk to be smoothed. The master surface is then pressed onto the disk surface and the polymer is cured. The master surface is then removed and the cured polymer forms a smooth surface on the disk.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing and repair wherein a component composed of equiaxed cast or wrought alloys has at least one section joined thereto composed of directionally solidified or single crystal material

Abstract: A method and apparatus for coating the outer surface of a workpiece comprises disposing a workpiece in a fixed position along an axis and rotating a thermal spray gun around the axis on a support with a thermal spray thereof directed towards the axis. The powder, fuel and oxygen are rotatably coupling to the gun and the thermal spray gun and the support are moving along the axis while rotating.

Abstract: Cocoa components having enhanced levels of cocoa polyphenols, processes for producing the cocoa components while conserving a significant amount of the cocoa polyphenols, compositions containing the cocoa components or the cocoa polyphenols, and methods of using the cocoa components or the cocoa polyphenols for improving the health of a mammal are described. The cocoa components include partially and fully defatted cocoa solids, cocoa nibs and fractions derived therefrom, cocoa polyphenol extracts, cocoa butter, chocolate liquors, and mixtures thereof. The invention provides processes for extracting fat from cocoa beans and for otherwise processing cocoa beans to yield a cocoa component having conserved concentrations of polyphenols relative to the starting materials.

Abstract: A collaborative learning system and method for implementing innovative criteria fashioned into an electronic learning experience that can be utilized at great distances. Learners can participate in the learning experience asynchronously thereby taking advantage of diverse schedules. A system is provided for offering network based education including software running on a computer or a plurality of computers for delivering educational services online. The network can include an internet protocol network wherein the servers can be accessed via a WEB interface. Software operative with a processor can cause an adaptive assessment tracking the learning style and progress of an individual learner. The system can also be responsive to an online assessment with remediation and guidance.

Abstract: Disclosed and claimed are cocoa extracts, compounds, combinations thereof and compositions containing the same, such as polyphenols or procyanidins, methods for preparing such extracts, compounds and compositions, as well as uses for them, especially a polymeric compound of the formula An, wherein A is a monomer of the formula: wherein n is an integer from 2 to 18, such that there is at least one terminal monomeric unit A, and one or a plurality of additional monomeric units; R is 3-(&agr;)-OH, 3-(&bgr;)-OH, 3-(&agr;)-O-sugar, or 3-(&bgr;)-O-sugar; bonding between adjacent monomers takes place at positions 4, 6 or 8; a bond of an additional monomeric unit in position 4 has alpha or beta stereochemistry; X, Y and Z are selected from the group consisting of monomeric unit A, hydrogen, and a sugar, with the provisos that as to the at least one terminal monomeric unit, bonding of the additional monomeric unit thereto (the bonding of the additional monomeric unit adjacent to the terminal mono

Abstract: An information transfer network, comprising: a plurality of client terminals which comprise a presentation system having a control and management agent system; a plurality of servers which comprise a database system and an application system, and a control and management agent system; a request broker system which permits the exchange of information between said client terminals and said servers through a communication path between said terminal and said server, and an information management system for dynamically controlling the location, access and transfer of information between said client terminals and said servers through a plurality of communication paths connecting said control and management agent system of each of said client terminals and servers to said information management system.

Abstract: A device for reducing the contamination of a disc being coated during an ion beam deposition process. The ion beam deposition process is performed in a chamber having an upper portion and a lower portion with the disc being disposed in the lower portion of the chamber. An ion source is introduced into the lower chamber for generating an ion beam for depositing ions on the disc. In the upper portion of the chamber is a pump for creating negative pressure in the chamber. A portion of the ion beam contacts the pump forming contaminants on the pump which cause the contamination of the disc. A baffle assembly is disposed in the chamber between the pump and the ion source. Said baffle assembly includes a baffle that reduces the portion of the ion beam contacting said pump thereby reducing the forming of contaminants on the pump.

Abstract: A vacuum operated electrolytic generator producing a solution of chlorine dioxide from a buffered aqueous alkali metal chlorite solution in one pass through the cell is disclosed. The cell contains a high surface area anode, a corrosion-resistant highly conductive cathode, and a cation ion exchange membrane between the anode and cathode. An eductor is used on the anolyte effluent line to create a vacuum and draw the anolyte through the cell. Preferably, an eductor is used n the catholyte effluent line. Ascending anolyte effluent line with a non-corrosive check valve leads from the cell to the anode eductor. Sensors are used to monitor the composition of the anolyte effluent and/or the anolyte feed.

Abstract: Process for producing alkenyl aromtic foams utilizing a cycloaliphatic gas as blowing agent, are described. Also disclosed are alkenyl aromatic foams produced by the process which exhibit increased thermal insulation properties.

Abstract: Disclosed and claimed are cocoa extracts such as polyphenols or procyanidins, methods for preparing such extracts, as well as uses for them, especially as antineoplastic agents and antioxidants. Disclosed and claimed are antineoplastic compositions containing cocoa polyphenols or procyanidins-and methods for treating patients employing the compositions. Additionally disclosed and claimed is a kit for treating a patient in need of treatment with an antineoplastic agent containing cocoa polyphenols or procyanidins as well as a lyophilized antineoplastic composition containing cocoa polyphenols or procyanidins. Further, disclosed and claimed is the use of the invention in antioxidant, preservative and topiosomerase-inhibiting compositions and methods.

Abstract: A communication system, comprising at least one mobile handheld telephone handset adapted to communicate with a telephone network handling system. The handset comprises means to produce first signals dependent thereupon, means to produce a voice transmission signal and means to transmit the voice transmission signal. The handset also comprises first processing means to carry out a speech recognition process to produce initial feature analysis parameter coefficients data dependent thereupon. The first processing step preserves predetermined information. The handset further comprises means to produce a data transmission. The telephone network handling system comprises means to receive the voice signal, means to forward the voice signal, and means to receive and process the data transmission signal. The telephone handling system also comprises means to carry out the remote second processing step in a speech recognition process on the regenerated data.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for the production of polyphenol oligomers having n polyphenol monomers, n being an integer from 2-18. The process includes coupling of a protected polyphenol, having protected phenolic hydroxyl groups, with a C-4 functionalized polyphenol monomer. The protected polyphenol may be a protected polyphenol monomer or a protected polyphenol oligomer having 2-17 monomers. Advantageously, polyphenol monomers forming the polyphenol oligomers may be the same or different.

Abstract: A method for reducing postprandial oxidative stress and associated pathologies by the dietary intake of cocoa procyanidins, such as epicatechin is disclosed.

Abstract: The invention provides food products, including confectioneries and chocolates, having conserved concentrations of polyphenols, and in particular cocoa polyphenols. The method of this invention avoids the significant and detrimental losses of polyphenols that occur during conventional manufacture by controlling the handling of ingredients in batching processing to provide a product having a significant amount of the cocoa polyphenol concentration present in the raw materials conserved in the finished product. Additionally, the production steps of milling/refining and conching may also be controlled and modified to provide the confectioneries of the present invention having conserved concentrations of cocoa polyphenols relative to the concentration of the polyphenols present in the starting ingredients. The cocoa polyphenol ingredient may be a cocoa ingredient, an extract of a cocoa ingredient (beans, liquor, or powder, etc.