Abstract: A control flow graph representing a plurality of controls is constructed, wherein each control comprises a measure taken to counter threats to an IT infrastructure. For each path through the control flow graph, a metric quantifying an efficacy of the controls along the path in countering the threats is calculated. A threat strength distribution for threats to the IT infrastructure is constructed. A visualization of an efficacy of a combination of the plurality of controls is generated, based on the metrics, the control flow graph, and the threat strength distribution. A weakness in the plurality of controls is identified, based on the visualization. The plurality of controls is modified based on the identifying.

Abstract: Scleritine is used as a protective agent for cells against toxic agents, in particular chemical or physical agents. One or more embodiments relate to a dermatological and/or cosmetic composition, which protects the skin against toxic agents, characterized in that it comprises Scleritine in at least one excipient or vehicle adapted to a topical application. One or more embodiments concerns the pharmaceutical or cosmetic industry and more specifically the formulation of pharmaceutical or cosmetic compositions intended to protect cells against toxic agents.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a combination of lipoic acid and taurine for use as an osmoprotective agent for the prevention and treatment of ailments of the skin and of the mucous membranes associated with osmotic imbalance. It also relates to a method for preventing and treating ailments of the skin and of the mucous membranes associated with osmotic imbalance, in which an appropriate amount of a combination of lipoic acid and taurine is applied to the skin or the mucous membranes of a patient who is in need thereof. The invention also relates to a pharmaceutical or cosmetic composition suitable for topical application or an oph-thalmic composition which comprises a combination oflipoic acid and taurine.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an ophthalmic composition in the form of an oil-in-water emulsion comprising a mucomimetic polymer and lipoic acid as emulsion stabilizer. It also relates to a process for stabilizing emulsions with lipoic acid and to the use of this acid for stabilizing the oil-in-water emulsions comprising a mucomimetic polymer.

Abstract: An orthodontic archwire includes an anterior region, bicuspids regions and posterior regions. The archwire exhibits substantially constant unloading force in at least one of the anterior region, bicuspids regions and posterior regions, having a variation of unloading force of less than 15 gf during unloading from about 2 mm to about 0.6 mm deflection. A set of orthodontic archwires can have the property that the anterior region of a first archwire has substantially the same clinical working force as the anterior region of a second archwire, the bicuspids regions of the first archwire has substantially the same clinical working force as the bicuspids regions of the second archwire, and the posterior regions of the first archwire has substantially the same clinical working force as the posterior regions of the second archwire.

Abstract: An orthodontic appliance, includes a crimpable tubular shaped portion having at least three walls selected from the group consisting of a lingual wall, a buccal or labial wall, an occlusal wall and a gingival wall, the at least three walls defining and opening configured to receive an archwire therethrough in a mesial-distal direction. The appliance includes at least one wing joined to the tubular shaped portion, the at least one wing extending longitudinally in the mesial-distal direction. A slot is provided in the at least one wing open to an end of the wing in the mesial or distal direction and having a depth in the mesial distal direction and a height in a gingival-occlusal direction configured to receive a ligature wire or elastic.

Abstract: Method for creating an audio environment having N speakers HPi, i=1 . . . N fed by N signals Si, i=1 . . . N generated from M theoretical signals STj, j=1 . . . M provided to feed M theoretical speakers HPTj, j=1 . . . M , wherein: position information is determined relating to the N speakers HPi, i=1 . . . N and a listening point, the two theoretical speakers HPTj and HPTj+1 which would be angularly closest to a speaker HPi, the signal Si is determined according to the following equation: Si=Gi[STj(GpijGeij)+STj+1(Gpi(j+1)Gei(j+1))]e?i??i wherein: Gpij and Gpi(j+1) are panning gains, Geij and Gei(j+1) are balancing gains Gi and i are a positioning gain and delay, respectively, which enable the speakers HPi, i=1 . . . N to be virtually repositioned in terms of distance so that all sounds intended to simultaneously arrive at the listening point according to the encoding format actually arrive therein simultaneously, irrespective of the remoteness of the speakers relative to the listening point.

Abstract: A flexible plumbing assembly for a vehicle having a main cabin portion with an extensible cabin portion that is moveable between a retracted position and an extended position includes a flexible hose having a fixed end connected to the fixed cabin portion and a moveable end connected to the movable cabin portion. The flexible plumbing assembly also includes a sliding structure for facilitating movement of the movable end with respect to the fixed end as the extensible cabin portion moves between the extended and retracted positions. The flexible hose and the sliding structure are disposed in a floor of the extensible cabin portion.

Abstract: Method for creating an audio environment having N speakers HPi, i=1 . . . N fed by N signals Si, i=1 . . . N generated from M theoretical signals STj, j=1 . . . M provided to feed M theoretical speakers HPTj, j=1 . . . M wherein: position information is determined relating to the N speakers HPi, i=1 . . . N and a listening point, the two theoretical speakers HPTj and HPTj+1 which would be angularly closest to a speaker HPi, the signal Si is determined according to the following equation: Si=Gi[STj(GpijGeij)+STj+1(Gpi(j+1)Gei(j+1))]e?i??i wherein: Gpij and Gpi(j+1) are panning gains, Geij and Gei(j+1) are balancing gains Gi and i are a positioning gain and delay, respectively, which enable the speakers HPi, i=1 . . . N to be virtually repositioned in terms of distance so that all sounds intended to simultaneously arrive at the listening point according to the encoding format actually arrive therein simultaneously, irrespective of the remoteness of the speakers relative to the listening point.

Abstract: A multiple slide-out system for a recreational vehicle or the like includes a first slide-out section having a first floor, a first carriage abutting and affixed to the first floor, a first driven track affixed to the underside of the first carriage, and a first drive motor anchored to the floor of the vehicle to drive the first slide-out section relative to the vehicle. A second slide-out section which slides within the first slide-out section includes a second floor, a second carriage abutting and affixed to the second floor, a second driven track affixed to the underside of the second carriage, and a second drive motor anchored to top side of the first carriage to drive the second slide-out section relative to the first slide-out section.

Abstract: A reward system and method for cash replacement cards wherein a card is issue by a bank or other financial institution to a cardholder. Such a card may be a credit or debit card and provides for a reward, not available to the general public, to the cardholder, based on his or her usage, in the form of a commodity that has a known history of increasing in value over time, such as diamonds.

Abstract: A structural assembly such as for use in constructing a living space of a recreational vehicle includes a wall with vertical rails at the top and bottom. The rails fitting into complementary recess within floor and ceiling members. The bottom rail has a curved cross section and fits into a complementary shaped curved channel in a floor member such that to assemble the wall to the floor, the wall is rested on the floor member at an angle and is then tilted upright to lock it to the floor member. A first keeper is then placed into a gap between the wall and the floor member, and acts in compression to prevent rotation of the wall. A second keeper has portions that fit into recesses in the wall and the ceiling members, respectively. The second keeper acts in tension to prevent vertical separation of the wall and the ceiling.

Abstract: A vehicle suspension system includes a trailing arm, an air spring, and a shock absorber for providing a smooth ride in a vehicle. A bracket pivotally mounts one end of the trailing arm to the frame of the vehicle while the other end of the trailing arm is joined to the frame by a shock absorber and an air spring. The shock absorber and the air spring both extend from the trailing arm to the frame and mount to the trailing arm at a position rearward of the axle. The shock absorber is mounted to the trailing arm rearward of the air spring.

Abstract: A stepwell cover apparatus for use in a vehicle having a stepwell including a step that is located below the floor of the vehicle. The apparatus includes a horizontal cover that may be retracted to a position below the floor in order to expose the steps of the stepwell and may be extended to a position flush with the floor in order to conceal the steps of the stepwell. In addition, the stepwell cover apparatus includes a drive mechanism for driving the horizontal cover between the fully extended and the fully retracted positions, a guide mechanism for guiding the horizontal cover during movement and pivot members that cooperate with the drive and guide mechanisms to raise the horizontal cover to a level flush with the floor when the cover reaches the fully extended position.

Abstract: An improved color correction system, and more specifically, a color profiling system for a printer and scanner. Highly accurate device independent printer profiles are generated using a scanner and processing means. The process utilizes the simultaneous scanning of a reference target and a print target to produce a scanner profile. Uncompensated printer profile is developed using the scanner profile, and compensation transforms convert the uncompensated printer profile into the printer profile.

Abstract: A latch mechanism for a door has first and second latches, a handle, a first cam connected to the first and second latches, a second cam and a third cam connected to the handle such that movement of the handle operates the first and second latches by transmitting movement from the third cam to the first cam through the second cam. One or more rods may be used to connect the latches and or handle. The first handle may simultaneously operate the first and second latches. A second handle may also be provided for simultaneously operating the latches. The first cam includes a finger and the second cam includes a projection that is selectively engageable with the finger. Movement of the third cam causes movement of the projection which in turn causes movement of the first cam when the projection is engaged with the finger of the first cam. The first and second latches may be locked by disengaging the projection and the finger.

Abstract: A stepwell cover mechanism is provided for selectively covering a stepwell cavity in a trailer. The cover mechanism broadly comprises: a cover plate (with an outboard and inboard end) for covering the stepwell cavity; an activator for selectively positioning the cover plate between a retracted position (below floor level and inboard of the stepwell cavity) and an extended position (substantially flush with floor level); and a guide assembly for accurately moving the outboard and inboard ends of the cover plate between the retracted and extended positions. The guide assembly further comprises a first guide assembly for positioning the outboard end of the cover plate between the retracted and extended positions and a second guide assembly for positioning the inboard end of the cover plate between the retracted and extended positions.

Abstract: A flexible plumbing assembly for use in a trailer with an extensible cabin having rigid plumbing that can be moved between a retracted position wherein the extensible cabin is substantially inside the trailer and an extended position wherein the extensible cabin is substantially outside the trailer. The flexible plumbing assembly comprising a flexible hose connecting the trailer rigid plumbing to the cabin rigid plumbing, a sliding guide for horizontally moving the connection of the flexible hose to the cabin rigid plumbing at a constant elevation relative to the cabin floor as the cabin rigid plumbing moves with the cabin between the extended and retracted positions, and hose guide for ensuring that material in the flexible hose moves in the proper direction as the cabin moves between the extended and retracted positions.