Abstract: The invention provides methods of using beta glucans to treat conditions associated with bone loss or low bone density as well as methods for promoting bone growth in situations where enhanced bone growth is desirable. In the invention methods beta glucans are administered so as to enhance the development of osteoblasts and the inhibition of the development and recruitment of osteoclasts. The inhibition of the recruitment and development of osteoclasts, coupled with the enhancement of osteoblast maturation by beta glucans leads to decreased bone resorption and increased bone formation, making beta glucans ideal agents for the treatment of osteoporosis and other bone resorption diseases.

Abstract: A crankshaft of an engine is connected to a carrier shaft of a planetary gear via a damper. The damper includes a torsion member generating elastic force for suppressing relative rotation, when the crankshaft and the carrier shaft are relatively rotated. A control unit estimates engine torque with using rotation angular acceleration of the crankshaft calculated from a detected value of an engine speed sensor, and corrects the estimated engine torque with a correction term of the elastic force of the damper calculated based on a damper torsional angle. Then, the control unit diagnoses an abnormality of the engine based on the estimated engine torque after correction.

Abstract: An hole-opening implement (5 or 50) for opening a hole in a soft material (2) has a first cutting part and a second cutting part. To pierce the soft material with the hole-opening implement, both cutting parts advances in the soft material while cutting the soft material. Such a state that the second cutting part remains in the soft material just after the first cutting part is passed through the soft material is assured so that a cut piece as bound to the soft material can remain after the opening. The first cutting part is formed at a tip of the hole-opening implement, and the second cutting part is disposed behind the first cutting part in the piercing direction of the hole-opening implement. Otherwise, the hole-opening implement may be constructed so that the first cutting part is sharp in section and the second cutting part is formed so as to have lower cutting force than the first cutting part.

Abstract: A mobile communication terminal and corresponding method, the method including (a) attempting origination of a call to a first terminal, (b) receiving a call from a second terminal, (c) stopping the call origination attempt at the step (a), and storing information as to the call origination, and (d) outputting information in relation to the stopped call origination when the call received at the step (b) is terminated.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing a precursor to a process chamber is described. The apparatus comprises an ampoule capable of receiving either a liquid precursor source material or a solid precursor source material. The ampoule is capable of delivering either a liquid precursor material to a vaporizer coupled to the process chamber, or a vaporized or gaseous precursor material to the process chamber. The ampoule also includes a continuous level sensor to accurately monitor the level of precursor source material within the ampoule.

Abstract: A centrifugal compressor for compressing a fluid comprises a compressor wheel having a plurality of circumferentially spaced blades, and a compressor housing in which the compressor wheel is mounted. The compressor housing includes an inlet duct through which the fluid enters in an axial direction and is led by the inlet duct into the compressor wheel, and a wheel shroud located radially adjacent the tips of the blades. A bleed port is defined in the wheel shroud at a location intermediate the leading and trailing edges of the blades for bleeding off a bleed portion of the fluid being compressed by the compressor wheel. A converging injection nozzle is defined in the duct wall upstream of the leading edges of the blades for injecting the bleed portion of the fluid back into the main fluid flow stream approaching the compressor wheel.

Abstract: An instrument for distracting vertebrae includes a shaft assembly and a distraction assembly at a distal end of the shaft assembly. The distraction assembly includes first and second distraction members movable from an unexpanded configuration for insertion toward an expanded configuration to separate the vertebrae. The shaft assembly is movable relative to the distraction assembly to facilitate placement of the distraction assembly in the disc space.

Abstract: An improved implant inserter and implant where the inserter includes a set of prongs for gripping the implant and the implant includes a plurality of recesses for mating with the set of prongs.

Abstract: A method of making an electrically conductive element, particularly a bipolar plate for a fuel cell, comprises molding an element from a composite material comprising a polymer and an electrically conductive material to produce an element having a polymer-rich skin and removing at least a portion of the polymer-rich skin with a plasma.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a low-cost thin film transistor of minimized variations in performances, as well as the thin film transistor produced thereby. A thin film transistor manufacturing method including the steps of: forming a gate electrode on a substrate; forming a gate insulation layer on the gate electrode; forming a semiconductor layer by coating the gate insulation layer with a semiconductor material; forming a repellent layer having an electrode material-repellent characteristic on the semiconductor layer; applying light from the surface of the substrate where there is no gate electrode, thereby removing the semiconductor layer and the repellent layer by sublimation, except for the portion protected against light by the gate electrode; and dropping the fluid electrode material on the repellent layer remaining on the substrate so that the fluid electrode material is separated by the repellent layer, whereby the source electrode and the drain electrode are formed.

Abstract: The invention includes optical signal conduits having rare earth elements incorporated therein. The optical signal conduits can, for example, contain rare earth elements incorporated within a dielectric material matrix. For instance, erbium or cerium can be within silicon nanocrystals dispersed throughout dielectric material of optical signal conduits. The dielectric material can define a path for the optical signal, and can be wrapped in a sheath which aids in keeping the optical signal along the path. The sheath can include any suitable barrier material, and can, for example, contain one or more metallic materials. The invention also includes methods of forming optical signal conduits, with some of such methods being methods in which the optical signal conduits are formed to be part of semiconductor constructions.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and media for controlling supply of a utility service to a load are disclosed. Generally, the embodiments may involve receiving representation of utility service supply to a load, receiving and storing in a computer data storage device a usage range representation comprising at least one expected value of utility input to the load and/or at least one expected value of output from the load, and producing a control signal for use by a utility service supply controlling device when usage is outside of usage range representation. Control signal can be operable to cause the utility service supply controlling device to restrict or interrupt the supply of the utility service to the load.

Abstract: A financial advisory system and a user interface for such a system are provided. According to one embodiment, information regarding a retirement income goal of an individual is received. Multiple input values for corresponding decision variables are also received. The decision variables include an indication regarding a target retirement age for the individual, an indication regarding anticipated monetary contributions directed toward the retirement income goal and an indication regarding the individual's risk tolerance. A probability distribution dependent upon the decision variables is generated based on simulated market return scenarios and representing a set of possible future portfolio values based on the plurality of inputs.

Abstract: A device for mixing two paste components, such as a dental impression substance and a catalyst, comprising a tubular housing, two inlet openings for the two paste components to be mixed, and an outlet opening for delivering the mixed paste, is presented. The housing consists of a premixing chamber at the front end and a tubular mixing chamber at the rear end. The two paste components are mixed first in the premixing chamber by a dynamic rotor and then mixed in the tubular mixing chamber by a twisted static shaft, resulting in a well mixed, bubble-free paste at the outlet opening of the housing.

Abstract: A collapsible and scaleable floor to ceiling post forming an exercise and perch system for domestic cats. Using integral platforms (37,44) that function as steps and perching areas (35). The post may be adjusted to different ceiling heights by adding or removing interchangeable sections (41,44) and provides fine adjustment with a telescopic section that is spring biased (28) to limit forces on the ceiling. The step/platforms are rotationally spaced by 120 degrees for an optimal rise to run ratio resulting in climbing comfort, ascend and descend speed, safety, and contemporary appearance. The post has a cross-section that forces step and loft mounting at 120° intervals using multiples of three cross-sectional facets. The assembly provides for a removable scratching area near the bottom of the post and padded perch area nearest the ceiling.

Abstract: A marketing method comprising a Provider offering a potential reward to a first party in exchange for promotional assistance of forwarding a first e-mail message to a second party comprising a personalized referral for the marketable entity, a first set of data comprising a first serial number and a first URL link. A first Web site corresponding to the first URL link is created which provides information on the referenced marketable entity and an offer to transact. The first set of data in the first e-mail message is correlated to a first set of database data within a digital database controlled by the Provider. The first e-mail message is forwarded from the Provider to the first party. The first e-mail message is forwarded from the first party directly to the second party without giving any identifying information about the second party to the Provider.

Abstract: An image forming method is disclosed, comprising (a) forming a toner image on an image forming body, (b) transporting the image forming body to a transfer region, (c) overlapping an image supporting body onto the image forming body, (d) radiating ultrasonic waves onto the image forming body and the image supporting body by an ultrasonic radiation means with applying an electric field between the image forming body and the image supporting body to transfer the toner image onto the image supporting body and (e) subjecting the toner image on the image supporting body to contact heat-fixing to fix the toner image, wherein a toner is comprised of toner particles containing a resin, a colorant and a releasing agent, and the toner particles exhibiting a coefficient of variation of shape factor of not more than 16% and a coefficient of variation of number particle size distribution of not more than 27%.

Abstract: The invention includes a semiconductor structure having U-shaped transistors formed by etching a semiconductor substrate. In an embodiment, the source/drain regions of the transistors are provided at the tops of pairs of pillars defined by crossing trenches in the substrate. One pillar is connected to the other pillar in the pair by a ridge that extends above the surrounding trenches. The ridge and lower portions of the pillars define U-shaped channels on opposite sides of the U-shaped structure, facing a gate structure in the trenches on those opposite sides, forming a two sided surround transistor. Optionally, the space between the pillars of a pair is also filled with gate electrode material to define a three-sided surround gate transistor. One of the source/drain regions of each pair extending to a digit line and the other extending to a memory storage device, such as a capacitor. The invention also includes methods of forming semiconductor structures.

Abstract: Disclosed in this specification is a method for processing barcode data from one or more barcode scanners. The decoded data is reformatted in accordance with selected reformatting instructions and thereafter supplied to a software application for subsequent use. Preferably, the reformatting instructions can be customized by the end users, thus permitting the end users to adjust their system to receive previously unknown barcode formats.