Abstract: A device for performing a surgical procedure on a knee includes an adjustable femoral portion, a tibial portion and at least one sensor coupled with the femoral and/or tibial portions to sense pressure exerted by the femoral and tibial portions against one another. The femoral portion is adapted for removably coupling with a distal end of a femur to adjust tension in soft tissue adjacent the knee and has at least one positioning feature adapted to move relative to the distal end of the femur as the femoral portion is adjusted, thus helping position a femoral prosthetic on the distal end of the femur. The sensor(s) may be adapted to sense pressure at medial and lateral sides of the knee, and relative pressures may be displayed as data on a visual display. Adjustments to the femoral member may be made to balance pressure at flexion and extension of the knee.

Abstract: A magnetic disk drive is to be provided wherein oscillations in thrust, conical and translational modes of a spindle caused by disturbance are to be damped to diminish a positioning error and thereby attain a high recording density and improved accessing performance. In one embodiment, there is provided a compensation circuit using acceleration or angular acceleration sensors, the sensors being disposed on a base, a cover or a PCB (printed circuit board) of a magnetic disk drive so that they can detect disturbance effectively, and wherein a mechanical system transfer characteristic of and other parameters in thrust, conical, or translational mode of a spindle are acquired or calculated by a processor and unnecessary oscillation in each mode is compensated. In another embodiment, to measure a transfer characteristic of the spindle in thrust mode and other parameters after installation of the magnetic disk drive in a case, piezoelectric elements are provided as one of oscillating means.

Abstract: This apparatus includes a unit for adhering an elastic seal to a lens holder, a unit for causing the lens holder, to which the elastic seal is adhered, to hold a lens, a pivotal arm, an arm driving unit for pivoting the pivotal arm, a clamp unit attached to the pivotal arm to be vertically movable to hold the lens holder, and a clamp driving unit for vertically moving the clamp unit. The pivotal arm is pivoted to sequentially adhere the elastic seal to the lens holder and hold the lens by the lens holder.

Abstract: A method for a computer system includes determining a dependency graph for a user-selected aggregate asset comprising a plurality of nodes, determining node types for the plurality of nodes, when a first node of the plurality of nodes comprises a file-level asset node, the method includes determining first status data associated with the first node, when a second node of the plurality of nodes comprises an aggregate asset node, the method includes determining a plurality of file-level asset nodes that are children nodes of the aggregate asset node, and determining status data associated with each of the plurality of file-level asset nodes, aggregating the first status data and the status data associated with the plurality of file-level asset nodes to form status data for the aggregate asset for the user.

Abstract: Systems and methods for fabricating a dental template to position an object on a patient's tooth to move the tooth from an initial position to a target position are disclosed. The system digitizes a model of the patient's tooth at the initial position; places an object on the tooth model at the target position; determines the position of the object at the initial position; and fabricates the dental template to locate the object on the patient's tooth.

Abstract: Appliances are made using a dental mold representing a patient's dental configuration. In particular, thermoformable plastic positioning appliances which fit over the patient's teeth may be formed over a three-dimensional mold of the patient's dentition. An apparatus and methods which employ a manipulable or reconfigurable mold to model patient dentition and gingiva at each stage of treatment. The apparatus and methods are particularly useful for performing midcourse corrections during orthodontic procedures using a plurality of such appliances in sequence.

Abstract: A docking system is disclosed. The docking system includes a single docking station and a plurality of inserts that are placed in the docking station so that the docking station can accommodate hand held devices with differing sizes and shapes. The docking system is configured with a docking station and insert that matingly engage with one another via a rotating action. The docking system is also configured with a latching retention mechanism that secures the insert to the docking station when the insert is rotated into engagement with the docking station.

Abstract: Techniques for organizing and displaying timing data derived from an EDA tool are provided that allows users to easily extract, analyze, and manipulate portions of the timing data relevant to particular user requirements. Relevant portions of signal waveforms are displayed on an interactive graphical user interface (GUI). Time points on the waveforms are marked with pointers so that users can easily visualize the relationships between different signals. A user can also extract relevant timing data from the EDA tool by manipulating the GUI. Manipulating and understanding circuit design requirements affects all of the design cycle and the quality of the final result from an EDA tool. A user can visualize all aspects of timing analysis on the GUI, such as clock skew, and the setup/hold relationship. A data entry approach is provided that can be used for natural and intuitive manipulation of various timing relationships.

Abstract: Methods and systems for preparing soft or firm/semi-hard cheese are provided, as well as soft or firm/semi-hard cheese prepared by the methods. The methods typically involve the formation of a slurry that contains blended or molten cheese curd. A variety of ingredients can be introduced into the curd used to prepare the slurry, the slurry that is formed, or at other stages along the manufacturing process to tailor the performance and nutritional characteristics of the final cheese product. The slurry in some methods is directly processed to form a final cheese product. In other methods, the slurry undergoes various types of processing to achieve certain desired composition or performance requirements.

Abstract: Practitioners are certified to perform a medical procedure, such as an orthodontic procedure. Certified practitioners are maintained in a referral directory and classified within tiers based on criteria such as the number of procedures that they have performed. Inquiries are solicited from prospective patients, and referral lists are provided to those patients who request them. The referral lists are obtained from the referral directory with doctors from higher tiers who have performed more procedures receiving preferential inclusion on the referral lists.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a purified recombinant blood coagulation factor IX (rFIX) preparation, wherein at least 25% of the rFIX in the preparation is fully phosphorylated and sulfated, a cell culture expressing a rFIX resulting in said preparation, a pharmaceutical composition for treating a bleeding disorder comprising said preparation, and a method for treating a bleeding disorder comprising the step of administering said preparation to a patient in need thereof.

Abstract: Turbulence of an airflow returning to a magnetic disk along the base sidewall of a HDD is reduced to thereby reduce flutter of an actuator or a magnetic disk caused by the airflow, thus improving read/write performance. An HDD according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises a base, a top cover fixed to the base, a motor for rotating a magnetic disk, an actuator for moving a head which gets access to the magnetic disk, a ramp slope portion on which an extreme end is ridden up, a ramp support portion for supporting the ramp slope portion, and a stage for holding the ramp support portion. A flow passage is formed which runs toward the magnetic disk through an area near the ramp support portion on the side of the top cover. An inclined portion running toward the bottom of the base is formed on the end of the flow passage on the side of the magnetic disk.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a thin-film magnetic head with a write head has a lower core member made of a soft magnetic film, a planar upper core member made of a soft magnetic film, and a coil conductor positioned between the lower and upper core members. The rear end is equipped with a magnetic body, which at least magnetically joins the lower and upper core members. A magnetic pole piece is in contact with the lower core member and positioned toward an air bearing surface, which faces a recording medium. A first nonmagnetic film is provided between a pedestal magnetic pole piece and upper core member. The write head is structured so that the first nonmagnetic film constitutes a write gap. A second nonmagnetic film is provided above or below the first nonmagnetic film. The edge of the second nonmagnetic film is retracted from the air bearing surface. The upper core member's flare point is positioned toward the air bearing surface rather than the edge of the second nonmagnetic film.

Abstract: The present invention provides the use of (?) (3-trihalomethylphenoxy) (4-halophenyl) acetic acid derivatives and compositions in the treatment of insulin resistance, Type 2 diabetes, hyperlipidemia and hyperuricemia.

Abstract: An ion implantation apparatus includes an ion beam source for generating an ion beam; an implantation energy controller disposed on a path of the ion beam for controlling the ion implantation energy of the ion beam so that an ion beam having a first implantation energy is created for a first period of time and an ion beam having a second implantation energy is created for a second period of time; a beam line for accelerating the ion beam; and an end station for mounting a substrate, into which the ion beam accelerated by the beam line is implanted onto the substrate.

Abstract: There is disclosed herein an electrical rail coupler assembly (1) to maintain in use electrical contact between adjacent railway carriages. The assembly (1) includes a pair of complementary coupler sub-assemblies (5) securable together in use to maintain electrical contact therebetween. Each coupler sub-assembly (5) includes a base (10) to be fixed to a respective one of the carriages. A body (15) is attached to the base (10) and at least one electrical plug portion (25) engages an electrical receptacle portion (26) of the other sub-assembly (5) so that the sub-assemblies (5) when secured together are electrically connected. The electrical portions (25, 26) are moved, into electrical contact engagement by relative movement, in a predetermined direction by at least one of the bodies (5) being movable in the direction relative to its associated base (10) to provide for engagement and disengagement of the plug and receptacle portions (25, 26).

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide an efficient and effective technique for storing and dispensing reagent beads. In one embodiment, an apparatus is provided for dispensing reagent beads contained in a bead storage device which includes a bead carrier having a plurality of wells; a plurality of reagent beads disposed in the wells; and a cover tape releasably attached to the bead carrier to cover the wells and retain the reagent beads in the wells. The apparatus comprises a channel in which to place the bead storage device with the bead carrier facing a support wall of the channel and the cover tape facing a stripping wall of the channel. The stripping wall includes a stripping gap disposed between a stripping edge and an opposite edge, and a dispense opening provided adjacent the opposite edge on a side of the stripping wall opposite from the stripping edge.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for determining voltage loss in an electrical device. The method includes the steps of obtaining an array A of voltage values corresponding to at least one current interrupt measurement at current In, wherein In corresponds to current values I1, I2, . . . , In, wherein subscript n is at least 3; forming an array D of difference values using a difference of the array A over an elapsed time; processing the difference values of the array D to obtain Vn; determining Vn for each In to form an array V of Vn; and calculating a resistance, R, using the array V, thereby determining voltage loss in the electrical device.