Abstract: One or more curved axial bore is formed commencing from an anterior or posterior sacral target point and cephalad through vertebral bodies in general alignment with a visualized, trans-sacral axial instrumentation/fusion (TASIF) line in a minimally invasive, low trauma, manner. An anterior axial instrumentation/fusion line (AAIFL) or a posterior axial instrumentation/fusion line (PAIFL) that extends from the anterior or posterior target point, respectively, in the cephalad direction following the spinal curvature through one or more vertebral body is visualized by radiographic or fluoroscopic equipment. Generally curved anterior or posterior TASIF axial bores are formed in axial or parallel or diverging alignment with the visualized AAIFL or PAIFL, respectively. The anterior and posterior TASIF axial bore forming tools can be manipulated from proximal portions thereof to adjust the curvature of the anterior or posterior TASIF axial bores as they are formed in the cephalad direction.

Abstract: An ultrasound system determines the presence of a foreign object in a container of fluid by measuring echo signals from the outer surface of the container and the inner surface of the container. The amplitude of the echo signals are compared to determine the presence of an object in the container. The system also determines viscosity of the contained fluid by measuring a through-transmission time through the container and the fluid, measuring an outer echo transmission time of an outer echo signal from the outer surface of the container and an inner echo transmission time of an inner echo signal from the inner surface of the container, and determining a time difference between the outer echo transmission time and the inner surface transmission time.

Abstract: A method, Packet Data Access Node such as a CDMA2000 Packet Data Service Node (PDSN) and a packet data system for provisioning the PDAN with an interim prepaid quota for auxiliary service instances related to a connection with a prepaid subscriber. The prepaid terminal requests registration with the PDAN and a prepaid server returns to the PDAN an indication that the prepaid subscriber has subscribed to multiple service instances and to certain service options. Responsive thereto, the PDAN requests immediate pre-initialization of a prepaid quota for the auxiliary instances from the prepaid server, and installs the prepaid quota. When the prepaid subscriber requests the auxiliary instances during the connection with the PDAN, the prepaid quota is already installed in the PDAN, and data packets are properly routed. The PDAN may be a CDMA2000 Packet data Service Node (PDSN).

Abstract: An improved fifth wheel hitch for attaching a trailer to a towing vehicle. The hitch includes an outer box support frame having two rails for mounting the trailer hitch to the towing vehicle, a spherical bearing mounted in the frame having a ball joint, and a latch assembly affixed to the spherical bearing to allow the assembly to have two degrees of movement, and a head body. The latch assembly comprises a base plate, a jaw fixed at a first elevation, and a vertically displaceable jaw. A means are provided to raise the vertically displaceable jaw above the level of the fixed jaw to allow release of the king pin latch. When the jaws are coplanar they capture the kingpin of a trailer, and safely lock the trailer to the hitch.

Abstract: A synchronizing mechanism for office chairs comprises a base carrier, a backrest carrier, and a seat carrier, which are coupled to one another via corresponding joints. A spring arrangement to actuate the synchronizing mechanism consists essentially of helical compression springs disposed parallel to the longitudinal seat direction flat underneath the seat carrier, wherein for each helical compression spring a counter-bearing extension arm is provided, a front end of which is articulated to the base carrier and a rear-facing end of which, freely projecting, forms a counter bearing for a rear support of the helical compression spring, and wherein the at least one helical compression spring is supported in each case with its front end on a counter bearing formed on the seat carrier.

Abstract: A linear sliding guide comprises a longitudinal guide rail with guide flanks that extend in a direction of sliding and a bearing block that lodges therein and has corresponding counterpart flanks. Compensation-for-play spring assemblies are provided between these two components; they are formed by a receptacle and a spring bushing that is inserted therein. The spring bushing acts on the corresponding guide flank of the longitudinal guide rail by way of a gap in the receptacle.

Abstract: The invention relates to a goods transfer station (1) for discharging articles (4, 5), having at least one delivery window (12), at least one conveying space (19, 20, 21, 22, 30, 31) and at least one closing element (23, 24, 25, 26, 32, 33), it being the case that the conveying space has at least one opening (9, 10), through which an article (4, 5) can be discharged from the conveying space (19, 20, 21, 22, 30, 31), that the conveying space (19, 20, 21, 22, 30, 31) can be moved between at least one unloading position (7) and at least one loading position (3), that its opening (9, 10) is located in the region of a delivery window (12) in the unloading position (7), and that the opening can be closed by the closing element at least in the unloading position. The invention also relates to a process for operating such an apparatus.

Abstract: An arbitration mechanism provides quality of service guarantees for time-sensitive signals sharing a local area computer network with non-time-sensitive traffic. Device adapters are placed at all access points to an Ethernet network. The device adapters limit admission rates and control the timing of all packets entering the network. By doing so, collisions are eliminated for time-sensitive traffic, thereby guaranteeing timely delivery. A common time reference is established for the device adapters. The time reference includes a frame with a plurality of phases. Each of the phases is assigned to a device adapter. Each device adapter is allowed to transmit packets of data onto the network only during the phase assigned thereto. The length of the phases may be modified in accordance with the number of packets to be transmitted by a particular device adapter.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a precurved gusseted glove which provides a user's hand(s) with an outer layer of protection which does not bunch together in the palm of the user. In one embodiment, the precurved gusseted glove is useful in weight training. The precurved gusseted glove has a gusseted side panel which precurves the glove to more naturally fit the curve of a human hand and eliminates the gathering of excess material in the palm of the hand.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for performing forecasting using time series data are described. In one embodiment, the method includes designating a last portion of the time series data as a base pattern, searching the remaining portion of the time series data for candidate patterns using the base pattern, and identifying candidate forecasts corresponding to the candidate patterns. The method further includes calculating a set of final forecast values based on the candidate forecasts.

Abstract: A unimorph or bimorph piezoelectric ‘bender’ formed into a flat- (or edge-) wound helix (50,54,55) wherein there is an additional laminate layer of a piezo-resistive material (609,709) the function of which is for sensing and responding to the actual deflection of the bender device. It also discloses a method for making this type of device by co-extrusion of a sinterable paste of the appropriate composition.

Abstract: One or more shaped axial bore extending from an accessed posterior or anterior target point are formed in the cephalad direction through vertebral bodies and intervening discs, if present, in general alignment with a visualized, trans-sacral axial instrumentation/fusion (TASIF) line in a minimally invasive, low trauma, manner. An anterior axial instrumentation/fusion line (AAIFL) or a posterior axial instrumentation/fusion line (PAIFL) that extends from the anterior or posterior target point, respectively, in the cephalad direction following the spinal curvature through one or more vertebral body is visualized by radiographic or fluoroscopic equipment.

Abstract: The integrated device for amplification and other biological tests comprises a semiconductor material body having a surface; a plurality of buried channels extending in the semiconductor material body at a distance from the surface of the semiconductor material body; inlet and outlet ports extending from the surface of the semiconductor material body as far as the ends of the buried channels and being in fluid connection with the buried channels; and heating elements on the semiconductor material body. Temperature sensors are arranged between the heating elements above the surface of the semiconductor material body.

Abstract: A pharmaceutical composition comprising therapeutically effective quantities of calcium channel blockers in combination with quinolines. In preferred embodiments, the invention further comprises quercetin. The components combine and interact in a manner to effectively treat viral infections.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a hand-held device that enables persons of limited mobility to clean their perineal areas, and comprises a liquid reservoir that can be squeezed with gentle pressure, a spraying portion that generates a directed stream of liquid droplets towards the patient, and a tissue holder portion through which the user can grab, use and dispose of cleaning tissue.

Abstract: The system and method utilizes an apparatus for generating ozone having, preferably, a first electrode positioned within a channel in a second electrode. The first electrode is a tube made of dielectric material, having at least one electron gun positioned proximate an end thereof for firing electrons. In electrical communication with the electron gun is a rod, maintained in a tube also made of dielectric material, which acts to maintain a constant energy level through the length of the rod. Within the first electrode is an inert gas which, upon the firing of the electron gun, is formed into a plasma. When a feed gas (generally air) is passed between the first and second electrodes, the electrons and plasma cause the formation of ozone. The treated feed gas is then injected into the water to be treated. Preferably, the water is then centrifuged before introduction in the cooling tower system.

Abstract: A streaming metatree data storage structure in which each data item is stored as a procession of nodes and where data units common to more than one data item are stored only once. The nodes are stored in a logically linear fashion, or stream, and information within a node indicates its relationship to the other nodes and with the tree hierarchy. The data structure provides a mechanism for distributing the nodes among multiple physical memory blocks and for traversing backwards through the tree. Data items are added by creating a temporary tree for new items until it becomes too large, and then merging the temporary tree into the main tree.

Abstract: A preloaded spring arrangement, in particular for spring loading office chair synchronizing mechanisms, comprises a pair of leg springs, which are coaxially positioned on a common axis, each having a supporting leg and a positioning leg; and a preferably manually operated adjusting unit of the type of an eccentric, which the two positioning legs are coupled with and by which they are displaceable for adjustment of the preload of the spring arrangement; wherein, for stepwise locked spring load adjustment, the adjusting unit of the type of an eccentric comprises a pair of eccentric cams sitting axially side by side, the cam surfaces of which, related to the direction of rotation of the eccentric arrangement, successively comprise plane locking sections, eccentric cam control sections and holding sections that are concentric of the axis of rotation of the eccentric arrangement; and wherein the respective locking, cam control and holding sections of the two eccentric cams are offset in the direction of rotation o