Abstract: A method of making a Web-DVD which integrates computer-based content, such as Web links/HTML content or images, with DVD-Video content by using a graphical user interface (GUI) is disclosed. The method provides a software application that allows a developer to add highly integrated computer-based content, such as, but not limited to, HTML content such as Web site links and images, PDF files and/or Power Point files, to a predetermined DVD-Video content with the developer using the GUI to create a Web-DVD instead of using complex JavaScript or HTML commands or programming language. The software application writes a series of DVD-ROM files, based on the developer's selection, e.g., “point and click,” of the GUI options, that create an interaction between the DVD-Video content and the computer-based content or HTML content.

Abstract: A method of making a filter by bonding two pieces of cloth to the flanges of a barrel-neck connector by locating a ring of bonding agent mixed with a metal powder between each flange and the adjacent surface of each cloth and using induction heating to heat the metal and thus cause the bonding agent to bond the cloth to the flanges. The bonding agent may comprise guide legs which allow its accurate location between the respective cloth and flange and/or the ring may be flexible allowing the ring to be flexed into position over the respective flange of the barrel-neck.

Abstract: A stage speaker system includes a rear cover portion and a body unit containing a speaker. The rear cover optionally functions as a reverberation chamber and a sound-resistant seal enabling an opening for the increase of wavelength transmission while dampening interfering vibrations. The rear cover includes cooling means optionally being radiating fins. A shield or guide unit optionally joins to the central body unit. A computer controlled stage speaker system includes at least one stage speaker or speaker apparatus operably controlled by a computer control system enabling the at least one stage speaker apparatus to positionably reposition and controllably generate, synthesize, or reproduce a digitally or analog signal, audibly or inaudibly, according to a programable and undatable computer controlled sequence, during a use while remaining camouflaged proximate a plurality of similarly designecd stage lights.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring the elastic characteristics of a medium by estimating variations in the speckle patterns in ultrasound images. The method for measuring the elastic characteristics of a medium comprises the steps of applying vibrations to the medium; acquiring a plurality of ultrasound image frames of the medium; estimating a variation in brightness of the speckle pattern over the plurality of ultrasound image frames; and measuring the elastic characteristics of the medium based on the estimated brightness variation. The apparatus for measuring the elastic characteristics of a medium comprises a vibrator for applying vibrations to the medium; transducers for acquiring a plurality of ultrasound image frames of the medium; a device for estimating a variation in brightness of a speckle pattern over the plurality of ultrasound image frames; and a device for measuring the elastic characteristics of the medium based on the estimated brightness vibration.

Abstract: An athletic mouthguard including a U-shaped mouthguard body and a temperature-sensing device. The temperature-sensitive device is maintained by the mouthguard body and includes an indicator portion adapted to visually indicate information indicative of temperature. The temperature-sensing device is positioned such that upon placement of the mouthguard body within a user's mouth, the temperature-sensing device is also within the user's mouth. In this regard, the temperature-sensing device is adapted such that functioning thereof is unaffected by jarring of the mouthguard body as the user participates in an athletic activity. In one preferred embodiment, the temperature-sensing device is a thermometric strip located along an outer wall of the mouthguard body.

Abstract: An ultrasound imaging system using a knowledge-based image adjusting device, which enables to obtain the optimal ultrasound image by automatically adjusting image parameters on the basis of pre-stored patient information so that operating procedures required of a system operator are reduced. The ultrasound imaging system comprises a patient information recording medium; a reference image database for storing reference image parameters; a similarity calculation unit for comparing patient information and corresponding reference image parameters and determining the parameter with the highest similarity; and an image adjusting block for selecting a type of probe and automatically adjusting image settings of the selected probe. The ultrasound imaging system further comprises a user input device for inputting and adjusting degrees of freedom parameters.

Abstract: A phase-separation member comprises a porous substrate (11) containing void spaces, a microporous polymer material (14) which at least partially impregnates the porous substrate by entering into the void spaces, and a layer of a fluoropolymer applied to the outer face of the coagulated polymer material so that the layer (16) of fluoropolymer material remains predominantly at the surface.

Abstract: An apparatus for coating paperboard comprising a flame treater, a heater, a coater for applying a thin coating of a water-dispersible polymer, a dryer, and a cooler with an air curtain to keep the heat confined to the hot end of the apparatus.

Abstract: This invention discloses 1&agr;-hydroxy-2-methylene-19-nor-homopregnacalciferol and pharmaceutical uses therefor. This compound exhibits pronounced activity in arresting the proliferation of undifferentiated cells and inducing their differentiation to the monocyte thus evidencing use as an anti-cancer agent and for the treatment of skin diseases such as psoriasis as well as skin conditions such as wrinkles, slack skin, dry skin and insufficient sebum secretion. This compound also has little, if any, calcemic activity and therefore may be used to treat immune disorders in humans as well as renal osteodystrophy.

Abstract: A filtration apparatus comprises a plurality of filtration sections such as (12, 13), each covered on both opposed faces by a filter cloth (14). Each filter cloth (14) is formed with a compressible edge bead (26) which is received in a corresponding groove (22-25) in a member (20) which extends between the sections (12, 13). The grooves each have an orifice for reception of the edge beads which is less than the diameter of the groove. Member (20) has a hollow core (21) to receive a sector dividing stem (17) to pass along and reinforce the member (20).

Abstract: This invention provides a novel class of vitamin D related compounds, namely, the 2-alkylidene-19-nor-vitamin D derivatives, as well as a general method for their chemical synthesis.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for use in magnetic separation of magnetically attractable particles suspended in a liquid. The apparatus includes a magnetic separator plate having a plurality of channels, one for each column of wells of a multi-well assay plate which is received by the magnetic separator plate. A plurality of magnets are positioned in each channel so that when the magnetic separator plate receives the multi-well assay plate, the magnets attract the magnetically attractable particles to create a pellet of material of a substance of interest on a side wall within each associated well.

Abstract: By using a novel structure of a beamformer which produce data for multiple receive scanlines in a time multiplexed manner, the size of the delay memory is reduced. An ultrasound receive beamforming apparatus for processing signals received from an array of transducers, comprises: a plurality of beamforming devices for applying delays to data samples of M channels. Each of said beamforming devices includes: a predetermined number of per-channel delay elements which provide first delays to the data samples of M channels, to provide delayed data per each channel and per each receive beam, first adders for adding the delayed data of not less than 2 channels provided from the per-channel delay elements, and multi-channel delay elements which provide second delays to the outputs of the first adders.

Abstract: A multiple hair setting roller heating and facial steaming apparatus includes a housing, an enclosure, a heating module, a heating element, at least one outlet and a hood. The housing defines a receptacle for receiving and holding a quantity of a desired liquid and defines a platform. The enclosure has an open bottom and defines an interior chamber. The enclosure is mounted to and extends downwardly from the platform of the housing and into the receptacle of the housing below the surface of the quantity of liquid in the receptacle such that air is captured in the interior chamber of the enclosure. The heating module is mounted to the platform of the housing and extends downwardly therefrom within the interior chamber of the enclosure. The heating module has a passage and an inlet extending below the open bottom of the enclosure so as to provide direct flow communication of liquid from the receptacle of the housing to the passage of the heating module bypassing the interior chamber of the enclosure.

Abstract: The PHA biosynthetic pathway is combined with a succinic semialdehyde metabolic pathway that metabolizes succinic semialdehyde via a 4-hydroxybutyryl-CoA intermediate in order to produce high levels of PHA comprising 4HB monomer units. This combination is particularly useful, in part, because the PHA biosynthetic pathway is well known and has been expressed to produce P(3HB) to levels as high as 70-80% of the cell dry weight, while the succinic semialdehyde metabolic pathway is also well known, and the combination of the two pathways means that production of PHAs comprising 4HB monomer units does not depend on immediate precursors of 4-hydroxybutyrate. Rather, the production of the PHAs comprising 4HB monomer units can occur simply from the extraction of succinate or succinyl-CoA from the citric acid cycle when the host cell is grown on an inexpensive carbon source such as glucose.

Abstract: A method for coating paperboard comprising heating paperboard to a temperature sufficient to remove at least some moisture from the paperboard; applying an aqueous dispersion of at least one water-dispersible polymer to the paperboard product; heating the paperboard to at least partially cure the water-dispersible polymer; and cooling the paperboard to at least 160 degrees Fahrenheit to reduce the tackiness of the cured water-dispersible polymer.

Abstract: A multiple hair setting roller heating and facial steaming apparatus includes a housing, an enclosure, a heating module, a heating element, at least one outlet and a hood. The housing defines a receptacle for receiving and holding a quantity of a desired liquid and defines a platform. The enclosure has an open bottom and defines an interior chamber. The enclosure is mounted to and extends downwardly from the platform of the housing and into the receptacle of the housing below the surface of the quantity of liquid in the receptacle such that air is captured in the interior chamber of the enclosure. The heating module is mounted to the platform of the housing and extends downwardly therefrom within the interior chamber of the enclosure. The heating module has a passage and an inlet extending below the open bottom of the enclosure so as to provide direct flow communication of liquid from the receptacle of the housing to the passage of the heating module bypassing the interior chamber of the enclosure.

Abstract: A multiple hair setting roller heating apparatus includes a housing having a heating chamber defined therein, a heat generating source disposed in the housing, and a plurality of height-adjustable elongated holder members in the form of hollow posts supported upright in the heating chamber of the housing. The height-adjustable holder members are adjustably movable between lowered and raised positions for holding different numbers and sizes of hair setting rollers at different elevations to thereby selectively change the roller holding capacity of the heating chamber. The housing includes an enclosure, a top cover removably fitted on an open top of the enclosure for enclosing the heating chamber of the housing, and a flat platform disposed in the housing enclosure and supporting the height-adjustable holder members in the heating chamber. The enclosure also is adapted to hold a quantity of fluid, such as water, in communication with the heating chamber.

Abstract: A customizable system and method for transferring data between an input data set and an output data set having possibly different data formats is provided comprising receiving data from an input data set, the data having a predetermined data format, converting the data from the input data set into data having a format compatible with an output data set, the converting being conducted by a data exchanger and one or more customizable configuration tables for controlling the data exchanger to convert data from a first user defined format to a second user defined format, and outputting the output data to the output data set.