Abstract: A method is provided for optimizing the physical characteristics of a coating solution for a polarizable electrode layer formed on a collector. A first step is carried out to prepare a coating solution that includes porous particles, a fluorine-based binder, a good solvent that dissolves said fluorine-based binder, and a poor solvent that does not dissolve said fluorine-based binder. A second step is carried out to coat a collector with said coating solution to form the polarizable electrode layer on the collector. The viscosity of said coating solution for the polarizable electrode layer is set to between 0.5 to 3.5 Pa·s and a weight ratio (GS/PS) of said good solvent (GS) and said poor solvent (PS) is set to between 60/40 to 80/20. The occurrence of cracks in the polarizable electrode layer and large nonuniformities in the thickness of the polarizable electrode layer can thus be prevented.

Abstract: An excisional biopsy device includes a tubular member having a window near a distal tip thereof; a cutting tool, a distal end of the cutting tool being attached near the distal tip of the tubular member, at least a distal portion of the cutting tool being configured to selectively bow out of the window and to retract within the window; and a tissue collection device externally attached at least to the tubular member, the tissue collection device collecting tissue excised by the cutting tool as the biopsy device is rotated and the cutting tool is bowed.

Abstract: A method is provided for optimizing the physical characteristics of a coating solution for an undercoat layer formed between a polarizable electrode layer and surface-roughened collector. A first step is carried out to form an undercoat layer on a collector whose surface has been roughened, and a second step is carried out to form a polarizable electrode layer on the undercoat layer. The first step is performed by coating the collector with a coating solution for the undercoat layer that includes electroconductive particles, a binder, and a solvent; the viscosity of the coating solution for the undercoat layer is set to from 0.15 to 0.75 Pa·s, and the weight ratio (P/B) of the electroconductive particles (P) and binder (B) is set to from 20/80 to 40/60. The coating area of the undercoat layer can thereby be adjusted with high precision, and the resistance of the undercoat layer can be reduced.

Abstract: Users can create computational models in a spreadsheet application and automatically apply the model to data stored in a relational database. By importing a sample of the data from a database table into the spreadsheet application, users can build spreadsheet models that perform analysis and computations on the sample data. Once the model is complete, the spreadsheet model is translated into an SQL format model understood by the database. The SQL model can operate on the entire data set in the database, rather than just the sample data used to construct the model. The SQL model and its associated data are stored in the database, and the model can be executed on a different sets of data. A web browser based front-end allows model users to access the SQL model via a web browser, eliminating the need for model users to have a spreadsheet application.

Abstract: The duplexer includes a transmit filter connected between an antenna terminal and a transmit terminal, and a splitter circuit and a receive filter connected in series between the antenna terminal and the receive terminal. The splitter circuit includes at least one phaseline connected between the antenna terminal and the receive filter and at least one resonator connected in parallel with the phaseline. According to the present invention, the length of the phaseline can be made shorter, so the entire duplexer can be made more compact in size. In addition, an inductors are preferably connected between each ends of the phaseline and the resonator. In this case, the inductance of a wire or via formed within the package can be used.

Abstract: A secure and modular architecture for monitoring and controlling clusters of pay entertainment and gaming devices. The architecture allows flexible and secure use of state-of-the-art multimedia and Internet technologies to attract the younger player generation used to flashy and networked games. Cash or cash-less entertainment and gaming devices are supported.

Abstract: A game of chance includes steps of accepting at least one of a wager and a selection of a predicted outcome of a competitive activity; randomly selecting an actual outcome of the competitive activity according to predetermined odds; accessing one of a plurality of video sequence that shows the randomly selected actual outcome of the competitive activity, and showing the accessed one of the plurality of video sequence on a display. A step may be carried out to pay a sum determined by the wager and the predetermined odds when the predicted outcome matches the randomly selected actual outcome.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention include methods and devices for trapping particulate matter suspended in exhaust from, for example, automotive diesel engines. Particulates carried in exhaust are actually a colloidal suspension of finely divided particulates in a fluid (in this case, the exhaust gases). This colloidal mixture is channeled through an open spiral exhaust channel. The particulates will differentially tend to travel through the fluid in a straight line, which leads them to collide with a fine mesh or porous material that defines the open spiral exhaust channel. The gas, on the other hand, will easily traverse the spirally shaped exhaust channel, with its molecules bouncing around the curved path of the spiral. Continuing through the device, more and more particulates will build up in the surrounding meshwork or porous material.

Abstract: A combined automatic latch and deadbolt assembly includes a latch configured to selectively assume a retracted and extended configuration and a deadbolt configured to selectively assume a cocked and a released configuration. The combined automatic latch and deadbolt assembly may be configured such that causing the latch to transition from its retracted configuration to its extended configuration causes the deadbolt to transition from its cocked configuration to its extended configuration.

Abstract: A hierarchically structured electronic document includes a parent node, a first and a second child of the parent node. The first child is configured as a named role child, the named role child having a first child component, the named role child specifying a relationship between the first child component and the parent node. The second child is configured as an index role child and has a plurality of second child components. The index role child specifies that all second child components are index children. The second child components collectively define and are configured to be rendered in the order in which the second child components appear under the second child. Collisions between named role and index children are avoided as the document includes a role (either a name role or an index role) between the parent and each child of the parent that is at the same hierarchical level.

Abstract: Methods for avoiding or reducing reliance on the need to use a physical payment instrument in substitution for cash for wagering on gaming terminals. With the method, the player uses a secure cashless payment instrument that does not require presentation of the payment instrument through an automatic reader fitted to a gaming terminal. The cashless payment instrument features a third-party security code and a two-level limited lifetime in which one level may be reset. The method may advantageously be used in small remote gaming facilities such as in island holiday resorts, in cruise ships and on-board international flights, for example.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing an optical recording medium of the present invention includes the steps of forming an underlying layer having a brightness of 8 or more and a chroma of 4 or less on a label surface of a disk body by a spin coating process, and forming an ink-receiving layer on the underlying layer. In the present invention, the underlying layer having a brightness of 8 or more and a chroma of 4 or less is formed by a spin coating process, thereby significantly decreasing the surface roughness of the underlying layer. Even if the ink-receiving layer is formed by the spin coating or slit coating process in which the surface quality of the underlying layer is greatly reflected, therefore, the average surface roughness (Ra) of the ink-receiving layer can be significantly decreased. Thus, printing by an ink jet printer can produce a color and brilliance close to those of a silver salt photograph.

Abstract: A transmitter for radio control with rotary control means on its both sides is provided.

Abstract: An electrically activated surgical device includes a probe body, an active element and a structure for selectively electrically insulating and/or physically isolating the active element from the patient's tissue when the device is in use. The probe body defines an outer surface, a proximal end, a distal end and a window defined within the outer surface near or at the distal end. The active element is electrically connected to a power source and is configured to selectively assume a non-deployed configuration and a variable deployed configuration in which the active element at least partially emerges from the window out of the probe body. The insulating structure selectively insulates the active element from the patient's tissue when the device is inserted therein.

Abstract: A computer-implemented and Internet-based method of managing Accounts Receivable (AR) information includes steps of receiving a customer request for remote Internet access to AR information (such as pending invoices) owned by vendor; retrieving the customer's AR information from a database and enabling the retrieved AR information to be remotely displayed for the customer and enabling the vendor's internal personnel to retrieve and to display the customer's AR information simultaneously as the AR information is displayed for the customer. The customer may dispute an invoice accessed from the database by accessing the vendor's Web site and by selecting a reason code for the dispute and at least a disputed amount to create a pending Credit Memo Request, all without direct manual involvement from the vendor.

Abstract: A film bulk acoustic wave resonator of the invention includes a substrate; a resonant structure provided on the substrate constituted by a lower electrode, a piezoelectric film and an upper electrode; and an acoustic multilayer of a plurality of reflective films provided between the substrate and the resonant structure. At least one of the reflective films of the acoustic multilayer has a specified crystal plane orientation, and an X-ray rocking curve full width at half maximum that is preferably not greater than 10 degrees, and more preferably is not greater than 3 degrees. This makes it possible to obtain better resonance characteristics than in the case of the prior art, by increasing the efficiency with which bulk waves propagating towards the substrate are reflected.

Abstract: A method of partitioning a schema object containing Web server log file data that includes a plurality of dated entries. Existing partitions within the schema object are identified, as well as the date associated with each existing partition. Unique dates of the entries within the log file data are also identified. A separate partition within the schema object is then automatically created for a) each identified unique date of the entries within the log file data that is not associated with an identified existing partition, and for b) each date immediately preceding each date in a) unless the partition has previously been created. This method avoids splitting loaded partitions when the Web server log file data is loaded out of turn.

Abstract: A computer-implemented draft authentication method for use in e-commerce includes the steps of establishing partner relationships between a financial institution and a plurality of World Wide Web (Web) vendors and storing, for each of a plurality of Web customers, at least one piece of unique identifying information linked to the Web customer's financial information. Web customers executing drafts or causing drafts to be executed by the Web vendors and presented to the financial institution are authenticated by immediately encrypting at least a portion of an identification data set provided by the Web customer over the network and by successfully matching the immediately encrypted identification data set with the stored piece(s) of encrypted identifying information. The Web customer's financial information is then retrieved only by the financial institution and constraints are established based on the retrieved information.