Abstract: A magnetically mounted motivation device with an integrated indicator is disclosed. A generally circular planar case includes a partially flexible upper surface and a lower surface that includes an acoustically transparent area. An audio storage element mounted within the generally circular planar case stores multiple spoken motivational messages. An audio output device coupled to the audio storage element is mounted within the generally circular planar case overlying the acoustically transparent area. If a switch mounted within the generally circular planar case and underlying the partially flexible upper surface is activated, the audio output device outputs one or more spoken motivational messages. A magnetic base mounted to an outer portion of the lower surface of the case surrounds the acoustically transparent area such that audio output is not impeded. A rotatable bezel mounted to the case includes multiple indicia that are indicated by a rotational position of the rotatable bezel.

Abstract: A water bottle cap with an integrated indicator is disclosed. A combination bottle cap and indicator includes a threaded base adapted to engage the neck of a bottle and a fluid aperture within the threaded base. The combination bottle cap and indicator includes a top hingably mounted to the threaded base for sealing the fluid aperture while overlying the threaded base and for permitting access to the fluid aperture while rotated away from the threaded base. The combination bottle cap and indicator also includes multiple indicia and a rotatable bezel mounted to the top for positionally indicating one of the multiple indicia.

Abstract: In a non-limiting aspect thereof, the exemplary embodiments of this invention provide a method including placing a marker on a display, where the marker is placed automatically at a departure point on the display upon sensing a scrolling operation, and moving the marker on the display, where the marker moves with the departure point during the scrolling operation.

Abstract: A media storage apparatus includes a frame, a shaft, and a plurality of retainers for retaining a plurality of portable planar storage media. The plurality of retainers is supported by the shaft and rotatable about the shaft from a selectable position to a selected position. The apparatus further includes a retainer selection mechanism, coupled to the frame, that traverses the frame to cause selected ones of the plurality of retainers traversed by the retainer selection mechanism to rotate in sequence from the selectable position to the selected position.

Abstract: The present invention concerns methods and compositions involving flavivirus envelope protein domain III antigens for the detection of virus and detection of antibodies against the virus. Such methods and compositions may be used to detect TBE serocomplex viruses or West Nile virus infection in a subject, patient, animal or biological fluid. The present invention also concerns kits for implementing such methods. In some embodiments, kits contain a recombinant TBE serocomplex virus or West Nile virus envelope protein domain III antigen.

Abstract: A fishing rod handle including a base section and a curved section wherein said curved section together with said base section form a wrist size opening such that the fishing rod is capable of hanging from a wrist.

Abstract: A method of encouraging weight loss via a talking electronic scale. The talking electronic scale determines the weight of a particular person in response to a specific user input. The talking electronic scale utilizes a data storage unit to store and conceal an initial weight for the particular person. The talking electronic scale compares a subsequent weight of the particular person to the concealed initial weight in response to a specific user input and utilizes a speech synthesis unit to announce a difference between the concealed initial weight and the subsequent weight for the particular person without ever displaying or announcing the numerical value of the initial weight.

Abstract: A fishing rod handle including a base section and a curved section wherein said curved section together with said base section form a wrist size opening such that the fishing rod is capable of hanging from a wrist.

Abstract: The present invention concerns isolated attenuated flaviviruses, such as West Nile viruses, having modifications that provide phenotypic varation, particularly in comparison to a more virulent reference strains. The invention encompasses the isolated viruses and immunogenic compositions thereof, in addition to methods to produce and utilize same.

Abstract: Improvements in the design of a low mass wafer holder are disclosed. The improvements include the use of peripherally located, integral lips to space a wafer or other substrate above the base plate of the wafer holder. A uniform gap is thus provided between the wafer and the base plate, such as will temper rapid heat exchanges, allow gas to flow between the wafer and wafer holder during wafer pick-up, and keep the wafer holder thermally coupled with the wafer. At the same time, thermal disturbance from lip contact with the wafer is reduced. Gas flow during pick-up can be provided through radial channels in a wafer holder upper surface, or through backside gas passages. A thicker ring is provided at the wafer holder perimeter, and is provided in some embodiments as an independent piece to accommodate stresses accompanying thermal gradients. Self-centering mechanisms are provided to keep the wafer holder centered relative to a spider which is subject to differential thermal expansion.

Abstract: Improvements in the design of a low mass wafer holder are disclosed. The improvements include the use of peripherally located, integral lips to space a wafer or other substrate above the base plate of the wafer holder. A uniform gap is thus provided between the wafer and the base plate, such as will temper rapid heat exchanges, allow gas to flow between the wafer and wafer holder during wafer pick-up, and keep the wafer holder thermally coupled with the wafer. At the same time, thermal disturbance from lip contact with the wafer is reduced. Gas flow during pick-up can be provided through radial channels in a wafer holder upper surface, or through backside gas passages. A thicker ring is provided at the wafer holder perimeter, and is provided in some embodiments as an independent piece to accommodate stresses accompanying thermal gradients. Self-centering mechanisms are provided to keep the wafer holder centered relative to a spider which is subject to differential thermal expansion.

Abstract: Improvements in the design of a low mass wafer holder are disclosed. The improvements include the use of peripherally located, integral lips to space a wafer or other substrate above the base plate of the wafer holder. A uniform gap is thus provided between the wafer and the base plate, such as will temper rapid heat exchanges, allow gas to flow between the wafer and wafer holder during wafer pick-up, and keep the wafer holder thermally coupled with the wafer. At the same time, thermal disturbance from lip contact with the wafer is reduced. Gas flow during pick-up can be provided through radial channels in a wafer holder upper surface, or through backside gas passages. A thicker ring is provided at the wafer holder perimeter, and is provided in some embodiments as an independent piece to accommodate stresses accompanying thermal gradients. Self-centering mechanisms are provided to keep the wafer holder centered relative to a spider which is subject to differential thermal expansion.

Abstract: A compact disk storage device has a base and a hinged lid. The inner surfaces of the base and lid each contain arcuate ribs which are parallel to and equally spaced-apart from one another. Each pair of adjacent ribs defines a shallow groove. Each rib in the base has a height which varies along its length. The upper edges of the ribs located near the front edge of the base are generally pointed. The upper edges of the ribs located near the rear edge of the base are generally blunt and shorter than the ribs near the front edge. The lesser cross-sectional dimension of the ribs near the rear edge allows the disk to seat properly in the groove without hindering its alignment.

Abstract: Improvements in the design of a low mass wafer holder are disclosed. The improvements include the use of peripherally located, integral lips to space a wafer or other substrate above the base plate of the wafer holder. A uniform gap is thus provided between the wafer and the base plate, such as will temper rapid heat exchanges, allow gas to flow between the wafer and wafer holder during wafer pick-up, and keep the wafer holder thermally coupled with the wafer. At the same time, thermal disturbance from lip contact with the wafer is reduced. Gas flow during pick-up can be provided through radial channels in a wafer holder upper surface, or through backside gas passages. A thicker ring is provided at the wafer holder perimeter, and is provided in some embodiments as an independent piece to accommodate stresses accompanying thermal gradients. Self-centering mechanisms are provided to keep the wafer holder centered relative to a spider which is subject to differential thermal expansion.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of selecting virus vaccine candidates by selecting virus variants that do not bind to brain membrane receptor preparations, comprising the steps of: (a) preparing a brain membrane receptor preparation; (b) mixing an amount of a virus of interest with an amount of said membrane receptor preparation containing excess membrane receptors to form a virus-membrane receptor preparation suspension; (c) centrifuging said suspension to form a supernatant; (d) determining residual virus infectivity in said supernatant; and (e) isolating individual membrane receptor preparation binding-resistant virus variants which are useful as virus vaccine candidates.