Abstract: Echo detection and monitoring systems and methods are provided. According to the invention, the outgoing and incoming voice bearer channels of a voice communication are monitored. The outgoing and incoming signals are time aligned, and measures are then taken to determine whether echo is present in the signal. In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the outgoing signal is fed through an adaptive filter.

Abstract: An improved prosthetic graft for the bypass, replacement or repair of vessels and organs that are in contact with blood flow is disclosed. The prosthetic graft includes a porous prosthetic implant and adherent cells adhered to the outer surface of the implant. The adherent cells are transfected with at least one recombinant nucleic acid molecule encoding at least one protein that enhances patency of the graft. The prosthetic graft has a long-term patency and success rate that is superior to other previously described prosthetic grafts designed for such use. Also disclosed are methods of making and using such a graft.

Abstract: A central location receives calls from remotely located job applicants and handles said calls including transmitting messages to applicants and receiving information from applicants over an electronic telecommunication link, automatically and directly. The system provides for real time applicant involvement while permitting applicants to initiate a job application procedure at a time and location selected by the applicant. Preferably calls are handled by a software engine which can identically process any of a plurality of script files containing both provisions for messages sent to and received from applicants and logic flow or branch records, all of which are preferably end-user configurable.

Abstract: A ferrite bead is placed in series with a terminating resistor on a transmission line such as a clock transmission line. In lower frequency ranges where the ferrite bead is substantially not effective, the transmission line will be effectively terminated by the resistor. In higher frequency ranges where the resistor is substantially no longer effective, the transmission line will be terminated by the ferrite bead. In one aspect, the resistor and ferrite bead are provided in a single surface mount package.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of determining the content of progenitor cells in a hematopoietic cell culture. The method comprises measuring one or more metabolic parameters of the culture, such as oxygen consumption, glucose consumption and/or lactate production, and using the measured parameter(s) to determine the content of progenitor cells.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of inhibiting complement in a mammal comprising administering to the mammal an effective amount of a carrier having coupled thereto a plurality of dipeptides selected from the group consisting of tryptophan-tyrosine, tyrosine-tryptophan and tryptophan--tryptophan. The invention further provides a method of prolonging the survival of tissue transplanted into a mammal comprising administering to the mammal an effective amount of a carrier having coupled thereto a plurality of dipeptides selected from the group consisting of tryptophan-tyrosine, tyrosine-tryptophan and tryptophan--tryptophan. The invention also provides a method of treating an inflammatory response in a mammal comprising administering to the mammal an effective amount of a carrier having coupled thereto a plurality of dipeptides selected from the group consisting of tryptophan-tyrosine, tyrosine-tryptophan and tryptophan--tryptophan.

Abstract: An extracorporeal blood processing system is disclosed which includes a variety of novel components and which may be operated in accordance with a variety of novel methodologies. For instance, the system includes a graphical operator interface which directs the operator through various aspects of the apheresis procedure. Moreover, the system also includes a variety of features relating to loading a blood processing vessel into a blood processing channel and removing the same after completion of the procedure. Furthermore, the system also includes a variety of features relating to utilizing a blood priming of at least portions of the apheresis system in preparation for the procedure. In addition, the system includes a variety of features enhancing the performance of the apheresis system, including the interrelationship between the blood processing vessel and the blood processing vessel and the utilization of high packing factors for the procedure.

Abstract: An electronic gaming device and method is provided in which redefined events result in positioning symbols on a playing field which persist in their location and effect through two or more sequential rounds of a game. Preferably, the symbols can affect the amount of a pay out, although preferably they do not affect whether or not a game has a winning result. Persistent symbols may be removed in response to various events, such as occurrence of a delete symbol, passage of time or playing of a predetermined number of rounds.

Abstract: A game which involves a player positioning sequentially-provided symbols onto a plurality of pre-defined positions is provided. In one embodiment, a plurality of columns, each with a plurality of positions is displayed, symbols are randomly presented and displayed to the user who may then select into which column to place the symbol. The symbol is placed in the lowest vacant position of the selected column and the next randomly selected symbol is presented. In one embodiment, if the user does not select the column in a predetermined time period, the column is randomly selected for the user. After some or all positions are filled, the arrangement of symbols is evaluated to determine whether any collection or alignment of symbols corresponds to pre-defined winning collection or alignment.

Abstract: An illuminated switch assembly employs a piezoelectric film as both a transducer and a circuit substrate. Preferably some or all of the transducer portion of the film is light transmissive in order to facilitate illumination of the activation surface of the switch. Use of a piezoelectric film provides the ability to reduce or eliminate relatively moving parts, resulting in an increase of the useful life of the switch. Providing conductive traces, interconnection and circuitry mounted directly on the piezoelectric film reduces the need for interconnecting a number of different parts during assembly and/or manufacture and thus reduces the cost of the switch.

Abstract: A device and method which facilitates the removal of a zipper component such as a slider e.g. for maintenance, repair, security and the like, is provided. In one embodiment a plate configured so that it can define a receiving area is positioned adjacent to a pair of zipper tapes such that a slider may be moved off the zipper tapes and into the receiving area. Preferably the receiving area is configured so that once the slider is in the receiving area it may be removed therefrom and/or a new slider may be inserted therein for positioning onto the zipper tapes. In one embodiment one or more removable doors or tabs are provided to limit movement of the slider and/or prevent movement into the receiving area unless the doors or stop members are moved or removed. In one embodiment, one or more guide lugs are provided for engaging the slider to glide the slider from the receiving area onto the tape so as to readily engage the zipper teeth.

Abstract: The invention provides a fragment of C1q which is characterized in that a plurality of such fragments selectively binds immune complexes or aggregated immunoglobulins in the presence of monomeric immunoglobulin. The invention also provides a synthetic peptide comprising the sequence: ##STR1## or variants thereof capable of binding immunoglobulin. Like the C1q fragment, a plurality of the peptides can selectively bind immune complexes or aggregated immunoglobulins in the presence of monomeric immunoglobulin. As a result of this property, the fragments and peptides are well-adapted for removing immune complexes and aggregated immunoglobulins from fluids containing monomeric immunoglobulin, and for detecting or quantitating immune complexes in such fluids. The invention also provides a binding material for removing immune complexes or aggregated immunoglobulins from a fluid.

Abstract: A process for fabricating ceramic-metal composites having continuous ceramic and metallic phases. The process includes the steps of contacting a porous ceramic matrix material having the general shape of an article of manufacture with molten metal whereby capillary action pulls the metal into the open porosity of the ceramic matrix to substantially fill the open void space. The present invention also provides a ceramic-metal composite having continuous metal and ceramic phases.

Abstract: The present invention eliminates the relay lens systems found in conventional helmet mounted displays (HMDs) by removing field distortions and aberrations with a contoured fiber optic faceplate placed in close proximity to a liquid crystal display (LCD) or cathode ray tube. The optical system typically consists of a spherical dielectric or holographically made collimator-combiner, a dielectric or holographically made fold mirror, and a contoured fiber optic faceplate. The fold mirror is flat, and the collimator-combiner is made by coating a spherical eye glass blank. The system is configured as a folded and tilted catadioptric projector with the novel feature being the contoured faceplate. There are no dispersive elements in the imaging assembly which means it can be completely polychromatic (full color) without the need for additional color correction optics as found in all refractive color systems.

Abstract: The present invention is directed toward a method and apparatus for the ncontact inspection of workpieces having a plate-like portion of the first part joined via an inertia weld to the end of a second part extending away from the plate-like portion. The apparatus and method are particularly apt for the non-contact inspection of driver inflator igniter canisters for airbag applications, such canisters having a spool-shaped structure with outer walls which restrict access to the internal inertia welds for inspection. To achieve non-contact inspection, the invention comprises electromagnetic acoustic transducer means which generate a pulsed inspection signal and a detection signal. In one embodiment, the inspection signal comprises shear acoustic waves which are polarized parallel to the outer surface of the second member (e.g., the central web member of an inflator igniter canister), and a pulse/echo detection approach is employed.

Abstract: A silicon carbide ceramic body having a high degree of lubricity as a result of large graphite inclusions in the body. The graphite inclusions have an average size of at least about 100 micrometers. The graphite-loaded silicon carbide component is preferably formed by spray drying graphite particles independent of the silicon carbide, blending the graphite agglomerates and silicon carbide to form a raw batch, forming the raw batch into a green body, and sintering the green body to produce a graphite-loaded silicon carbide ceramic body having good density and good strength.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for cleaning floors. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes four wheels, two of which are steerable wheels, and a steering mechanism that permits the two steerable wheels to turn to a degree that allows very tight turns to be made by the sweeper. In another embodiment, the apparatus is a sweeper with a cylindrical side broom. Yet a further embodiment of the sweeper includes flaps or seals that form a skirt about the broom and a mounting mechanism for slidably receiving the flap or seal. In a further embodiment, the apparatus is a sweeper that employs flaps with wear indicators that tell an operator when to adjust or replace the flap. In another embodiment, the apparatus is a sweeper that utilizes a pre-filter to remove debris that remains in the vacuum airstream after having passed through the hopper and that is of a size that can require frequent cleaning of a subsequent filtering device.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for cleaning floors. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes four wheels, two of which are steerable wheels, and a steering mechanism that permits the two steerable wheels to turn to a degree that allows very tight turns to be made by the sweeper. In another embodiment, the apparatus is a sweeper with a cylindrical side broom. Yet a further embodiment of the sweeper includes flaps or seals that form a skirt about the broom and a mounting mechanism for slidably receiving the flap or seal. In a further embodiment, the apparatus is a sweeper that employs flaps with wear indicators that tell an operator when to adjust or replace the flap. In another embodiment, the apparatus is a sweeper that utilizes a pre-filter to remove debris that remains in the vacuum airstream after having passed through the hopper and that is of a size that can require frequent cleaning of a subsequent filtering device.