Abstract: The present invention provides heat dissipation systems for use in hinged computing devices which includes a thermally conductive joint (36). The joint has first and second receptacles (104, 108) which are generally parallel to and adjacent one another. A first heat pipe (22) is at least partially disposed within the first receptacle and is adapted to be thermally coupled to a heat source within the hinged computing device. A second heat pipe (30) is at least partially disposed within the second receptacle and is adapted to be thermally coupled to a heat sink. The thermally conductive joint permits the transfer of heat from the first heat pipe to the second heat pipe to transfer heat from the heat source to the heat sink portion of the hinged computing device.

Abstract: In a telemanipulation system for manipulating objects located in a workspace at a remote worksite by an operator from an operator's station, such as in a remote surgical system, the remote worksite having a manipulator with an end effector for manipulating an object at the workspace, such as a body cavity, a controller including a hand control at the control operator's station for remote control of the manipulator, an image capture device, such as a camera, and image output device for reproducing a viewable real-time image, the improvement wherein a position sensor associated with the image capture device senses position relative to the end effector and a processor transforms the viewable real-time image into a perspective image with correlated manipulation of the end effector by the hand controller such that the operator can manipulate the end effector and the manipulator as if viewing the workspace in true presence.

Abstract: The instant invention addresses the need for a more accurate method of quantitating infectious viral particles in a population. The methods of the instant invention are based on the unexpected and surprising result that flow cytometry analysis of cells infected using specified ranges of viral particle concentration and/or adsorption time yields a more accurate measurement of infectious virus titer than traditional titration methods.

Abstract: A bicycle wheel rim includes a rim body having an annular spoke-mounting wall and spaced left and right annular tire-retaining walls, and a pair of wear-resisting rings. The spoke-mounting wall has two annular lateral peripheral edges. The left and right annular tire-retaining walls extend integrally, radially, outwardly and respectively from the lateral peripheral edges of the spoke-mounting wall. Each of the tire-retaining walls has an inner surface that faces the other one of the tire-retaining walls to confine a tire receiving space therewith, an outer brake pad contacting surface opposite to the inner surface, and an annular end face distal to the spoke-mounting wall. Each of the tire-retaining walls further has a tire retaining projection, formed at a corner of the end face and the inner surface for engaging a bicycle tire so as to retain the bicycle tire between the tire-retaining walls. The wear-resisting rings are made of a resilient material.

Abstract: An orally administrable therapeutic protein is provided by combining the therapeutic protein with a stabilizing agent in an aqueous solution. The solution is coated onto nonpareils and microencapsulated with a water emulsifiable enteric coating composition. The microcapsules are orally administered. The coating protects the protein as it passes through the stomach. Upon reaching the small intestines, the basic pH of the intestinal juices will dissolve the coating, allowing the protein to be released and induce antigen specific immune response which has the specificity of the native molecule. The stabilizing agent protects the therapeutic protein from denaturation during the encapsulation process. In addition to being immunogenic, when administered orally, encapsulated allergen has a therapeutic effect in the treatment of human allergies.

Abstract: A logic element (300) for a programmable logic device. The logic element (300) allows two independent logic functions to be carried out during the same clock cycle. A 4-input look-up table (406) is provided using a 3-input look-up table (434) and two 2-input look-up tables. The results of the 4-input lookup table (406) and the 3-input lookup table (434) may be routed simultaneously from the logic element. It also allows a signal to be routed through a logic element (300) while carrying out an independent logic function. Carry logic (425) is provided. The results of the carry logic (486) may be routed to the global and local interconnect structure of the programmable logic device.

Abstract: A system for serializing and synchronizing data stored in a tape drive emulation system utilizes a physical lock system and control data MUTEXes to assure serialization.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for time-scaling and/or pitch shifting by discarding and/or repeating segments of a signal. The signal is stored as a series of samples in a memory where it is readable by one or more read pointers. Periodicity of segments of the signal is determined by evaluating normalized cross-correlation over a range of possible periods. Transients are detected by monitoring changes in rms signal value. To achieve time compression or time stretching, a segment is skipped/discarded whenever a maximum time-discrepancy between the current output and an ideal output is reached or a high periodicity is detected, a jump of the optimal length would not make this time discrepancy too high, and no transient is present in the segment to be skipped/discarded.

Abstract: The invention provides exemplary connector systems and methods for their use. In an exemplary embodiment, a connector system is provided which comprises a first and a second connector. In turn, each connector comprises a connector body having a central axis. Each connector further includes a latch spring that is generally aligned with the central axis and includes an offset oriented generally toward the central axis, a lead-in ramp and an inset notch which is oriented generally toward the central axis on a side of the connector body generally opposite to the latch spring. The first and the second connectors may be connected by abutting the connector bodies, with each latch spring being received over the lead-in ramp on the abutting connector and engaging with the inset notch on the abutting connector.

Abstract: A method implemented on a network of computers for allowing a plurality of users to collaborate in decision making to solve a problem, includes the steps of processing, at a central server, a group of proposals for solving the problem, submitting the group of proposals to the plurality of users at remote clients, and thereafter receiving, at the central server from the plurality of users, selections of proposals from the group of proposals. Determining, at the central server, a narrowed group of proposals in response to the selections of proposals, communicating the narrowed group of proposals to the plurality of users at the remote clients, each proposal in the narrowed group of proposals including sets of statements, and thereafter receiving, at the central server from one of the plurality of users, suggestions for modifying proposals in the narrowed group of proposals, are also included.

Abstract: A circuit technique that optimizes the activation timing of a dynamic sense amplifier includes a circuit that closely tracks process variations to generate the optimum activation signal for the dynamic sense amplifier. In another embodiment, the activation timing for the dynamic sense amplifier is made programmable on a chip-by-chip basis to not only arrive at the optimal timing for the activation signal, but to also enable the manufacturer to guarantee a certain amount of margin in the operation of the circuit.

Abstract: A robust integrated database system merging operations from two or more individual database systems that uses a system logging table created in one of the databases to log system data and requested changes to the system data. The inherent robustness developed for one database is exploited to provide robustness for the entire integrated system. During normal operation, the system logging table stores log data. After a failure, the log data in the system table allows an integrator to query the databases as to the status of any previously pending operations and to thereby recover from the failure.

Abstract: In a procedure for the treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome, the carpal ligament is spread by use of a cutting device passing through the interior of a cannula inserted into the carpal tunnel through an incision in the patient's wrist, the cannula containing an inflatable balloon at its distal end to secure the position of the cutting device against the carpal ligament, and the cutting device comprising a blade whose position is remotely controlled from the proximal end of the device. Other features of the procedure are the use of a blunt-tipped hypodermic needle and exchange wire to establish a path to the site under the carpal ligament, an endoscope or other visualization device to be inserted through the cannula with the cutting device, and a removable sheath over the cannula to contain the inflatable balloon until inflation is desired.

Abstract: This invention relates to DNA and protein compositions useful in the diagnosis and treatment of diabetes, heart disease and skeletal muscle disease. More specifically, this invention relates to DNA and protein compositions for ATP-sensitive potassium channel proteins, and methods of using these compositions.

Abstract: A ball throwing apparatus includes an enclosure formed with an aperture and a movable gate to cover the aperture. A throwing arm adapted to receive a ball is pivotally mounted within the enclosure for movement between a ball loading position and a released position. A suction cup element holds the throwing arm in the ball loading position and releases the throwing arm from the ball loading position after a time delay. When released, the throwing arm is biased by a spring to move from the ball loading position to the released position to throw the ball. At the same time, movement of the throwing arm acts to open the gate to allow discharge of the ball from the enclosure. The use of a gate makes the ball throwing apparatus safer by enclosing the moving parts of the apparatus to make them inaccessible when in use.

Abstract: An improved data processor includes a high-speed memory that functions as a data cache during normal operation and as a trace memory to debug software in an in-circuit emulation mode. A register counts the number of storage location and overflows when a predetermined number is exceeded to cause an exception which transfers information off-chip from the trace memory. In one embodiment a starting address is stored and compared to a program counter of an instruction completely executed in the execution unit to begin the tracing.