Abstract: The present invention relates to amide and urea derivatives of heteroaryl-substituted diazatricycloalkanes, pharmaceutical compositions including the compounds, methods of preparing the compounds, and methods of treatment using the compounds. More specifically, the methods of treatment involve modulating the activity of the ?7 nAChR subtype by administering one or more of the compounds to treat or prevent disorders mediated by the ?7 nAChR subtype. The diazatricycloalkanes typically consist of a 1-azabicyclooctane fused to pyrrolidine ring. The substitutent heteroaryl groups are 5- or 6-membered ring heteroaromatics, such as 3-pyridinyl and 5-pyrimidinyl moieties, which are attached directly to the diazatricycloalkane. The secondary nitrogen of the pyrrolidine moiety is substituted with an arylcarbonyl (amide type derivative) or an arylaminocarbonyl (N-arylcarbamoyl) (urea type derivative) group.

Abstract: The present invention relates to antibodies that specifically bind to human BNP and immunoassays using said antibodies in the quantification of human BNP or a fragment of human BNP in a test sample.

Abstract: The invention provides a cement slurry composition for cementing a well comprising a hydraulic cement, water, carbon fiber and graphite. Compositions of the current invention combine the benefits obtained from adding carbon fiber and graphite to the cement composite. The synergy achieved from combining fibers and particulates into the same sample results in a composite slurry with improved electrical properties and easy-to-optimize rheologies.

Abstract: A beverage cup holder to contain drinking fluids, collect condensation and spilled fluids, and direct them to a self contained reservoir. The holder has an upper rim that is taller than the container being held, ribs to support the entire height of the held container utilizing an upper funnel, and a device which stores spilled fluids and condensation within a self contained reservoir for spilled fluids formed by the holder from a centered vertical support column as well as creating an area to add attachments including weights, a magnet, or lighting to its open bottom end.

Abstract: A gated-diode semiconductor device or similar component and a method of fabricating the device. The device features a gate structure disposed on a substrate over a channel and adjacent a source and a drain. The top of the source or drain region, or both, are formed so as to be at a higher elevation, in whole or in part, than the bottom of the gate structure. This configuration may be achieved by overlaying the gate structure and substrate with a profile layer that guides a subsequent etch process to create a sloped profile. The source and drain, if both are present, may be symmetrical or asymmetrical. This configuration significantly reduces dopant encroachment and, as a consequence, reduces junction leakage.

Abstract: A plurality of transistors operate as amplification elements. An input side coupling circuit comprises a plurality of distributed constant lines connected in series, one terminal of which is an input terminal and the other terminal of which is a bias input terminal. Each of the connection nodes between these distributed constant lines is connected to each of the inputs of the transistors. An output side coupling circuit comprises a plurality of distributed constant lines connected in series, one terminal of which is an output terminal and the other terminal of which is a bias input terminal. Each of the connection nodes between these distributed constant lines is connected to each of the outputs of the transistors. A termination circuit is provided at the input side coupling circuit or the output side coupling circuit.

Abstract: The present invention is configured to provide optimization of printed output transmitted by a facsimile machine. By generating and comparing a baseline quality score with a companion quality score, optimization decisions can enhance the quality of facsimile transmissions. Optimization is also enhanced by recognizing the type of facsimile machine used and the optimal configuration settings for the facsimile. The settings for multiple facsimile machines are stored in a database, along with optimal settings for each facsimile machine. To further enhance the results of a facsimile transmission, a database of printers may also be consulted. By utilizing the best possible output from a printer, combined with the optimal settings for a fax machine, the optimal results for can be obtained. Additionally, the use of bar-coded identification for facsimile transmission provides a method of automating the optimization, thereby increasing efficiency by reporting the results of the optimization.

Abstract: A display device includes: a light source; a light guide plate including a first plate surface that emits light incident from the light source, a second plate surface other than the first plate surface, and at least two protruding portions formed on the second plate surface; a light source board including the light source arranged thereon, the light source board arranged on the second plate surface; and an optical sheet including a first sheet surface arranged to face the first plate surface, a second sheet surface arranged to face the light source board, and at least two protruding portions formed on the second sheet surface.

Abstract: An improved binder clip is provided. The binder clip includes a clamping means, opposed gripping means attached to the clamping means, and a label holder that is attached to, or that is integral with, the clamping means. An identifying label is inserted into the label holder for easy identification of the material that is bound by the binder clip.

Abstract: A reticle rotatable rack is provided at an upper position, and a pod rotatable rack is provided at a lower position in a clean stocker. A clean gas is supplied downwardly. In the stocker, a pod transportation device and a reticle transportation device are elevated and lowered. Load ports, a pod opener, and the pod rotatable rack are connected by the pod transportation device. The pod opener and the reticle rotatable rack are connected by the reticle transportation device.

Abstract: An optical arrangement includes a position sensitive optical detector, a collimated optical source, and a processor configured to monitor the inclination of an object. The collimated optical source is configured to transmit a collimated beam towards the object. The position sensitive optical detector is configured to detect the specific location of incidence of an optical signal received from the object, and the processor is configured to generate information relating to the inclination of the object from processing optical signals received at the position sensitive optical detector.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the prevention of electro-chemical corrosion at charging pins, especially of a battery-powered handpiece and its charging station.

Abstract: A lead acid electric storage battery uses conventional lead-acid secondary battery chemistry. The battery may be a sealed battery, an unsealed battery or a conventional multi-cell battery. The battery has a set of positive battery grids (plates) which are constructed with a body portion of thin titanium expanded metal having a thickness preferably in the range 0.1 mm to 0.9 mm and most preferably 0.2 mm to 0.4 mm. Typically the battery would have over 250 grids in a 12 inch long battery case.

Abstract: A method of testing a fuse element for a memory device is provided. A first test probe is electrically connected to a program terminal of the memory device. A second test probe is electrically connected to a ground terminal. The fuse element is on an electrical circuit path between the program terminal and the ground terminal. The first and second test probes are electrically connected to a testing device. A first voltage is applied with the testing device between the program terminal and the ground terminal. At least part of a first current of the first voltage flows across the fuse element. The first voltage and the at least part of the first current that flows across the fuse element is not large enough to change the conductivity state of the fuse element. The first current is measured and used to evaluated the conductive state of the fuse element.

Abstract: A computing system having at least one cluster. Each cluster has only one master server. The master server has at least one general processing unit, a relatively high speed data input adapted to send and receive data, a relatively low speed data input adapted to send and receive data, and a buffer memory adapted to buffer data between the relatively high speed data input and the relatively low speed data input. Each cluster also has at least one slave server, which has at least one general processing unit, and a relatively low speed data input adapted to send and receive data, the relatively low speed data input having data communication with the relatively low speed data input of the master server. In this manner, the relatively high speed data input, which tends to be very expensive, is present only in the master server, and is used for the high speed transfer of large amounts of data. However, the master server sends the data out to the slave servers on lower speed connections.

Abstract: A refrigerator includes a universal shelf assembly that can be mounted in either a stationary configuration or a sliding configuration. The shelf assembly includes a shelf unit having a base portion surrounded by a peripheral frame. The peripheral frame includes front, rear and opposing side frame members that include a mounting boss and a locating tab. When mounted in the stationary configuration, the shelf unit is mounted directly to a support unit through the mounting boss and locating tab. Conversely, when mounted in the sliding configuration, the shelf unit is mounted indirectly to a support unit. Arranged between the support unit and the shelf unit are glide members. The glide members include structure that cooperates with the mounting boss and locating tab that both secure the shelf unit and enable the shelf unit to shift relative to the support unit.

Abstract: A tester for applying very fast transmission line pulses (“VFTLP”) to select pins of a device under test (“DUT”), for example, an integrated circuit. The tester also provides for leakage measurement testing of the DUT after VFTLP testing. An end of a coaxial cable is received within an aperture formed in a metal ground plane. The outer conductor of the coaxial cable is attached to the metal ground plane and the inner conductor of the coaxial cable projects above an upper surface of the metal ground plane. A grip attached to the metal ground plane selectively retains the DUT upon the upper surface of the metal ground plane in a position placing a select pin in physical contact with the projecting inner conductor of the coaxial cable, completing the VFTLP circuit.

Abstract: A solution spray apparatus includes a nozzle which sprays a droplet of a solution such as EL solution, a heater is provided on the nozzle to heat the solution in the nozzle to a temperature lower than a boiling point of the solution in the nozzle, so that the droplet of the heated solution is ejected from the spray to an object.

Abstract: Apparatus, systems, and methods may operate to establish a virtual private network (VPN) connection between a server in a private network and a client in a public network. Additional activities include intercepting a socket call from the client requesting resolution of a network address associated with a domain name in the private network, searching a local linked list for the network address, returning the network address to the client if the network address is found in the local linked list, and, if the network address is not found in the local linked list, sending a request to resolve the network address to a domain name system (DNS) server in the private network. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed.