Abstract: Methods for delivering a drug to a patients in need of the drug, while restricting access to the drug by patients for whom the drug may be contraindicated are disclosed. The methods are of the type in which prescriptions for the drug are filled by a pharmacy only after a computer readable storage medium has been consulted to retrieve a prescription approval code. Embodiments are provided wherein the patients are assigned to risk groups based upon the risk that taking the drug will lead to an adverse side effect, and certain additional information, such as periodic surveys and diagnostic tests probative of the ongoing risk of the side effect developing are obtained before prescriptions for the drug are approved.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to a facility wide sorting and/or sequencing system for improving product processing operations and, more particularly, to a facility wide system and related functionality for simultaneously sorting and sequencing mixed mail pieces such as, for example, flats and letter mail pieces. The flats and letter mail pieces are placed in frames so that all types of mail pieces can be sorted and/or sequenced simultaneously through merging and diverting a stream of filled trays into and out of different streams at a full or substantially full transport speed.

Abstract: An improved microelectronic assembly (100) and packaging method includes a device package for housing a semiconductor die or chip, (105), an array of passive electronic components (305-355) operating in cooperation with the flip chip semiconductor die (105) and housed inside the device package to decouple noise from input signals, and a heat spreader (195) disposed between a top surface of the semiconductor die (105) and a package cover (185). The semiconductor die (105) is configured as a flip chip die and the device package includes a package substrate (110) configured as a ball grid array. The improved microelectronic device (100) reduces parasitic inductance in electrical interconnections between the semiconductor die and an electrical system substrate (115) and reduces signal noise in mixed signal high frequency analog to digital converters operating at clock rates above 1 GHz.

Abstract: Novel methods for delivering a drug to a patient while preventing the exposure of a foetus or other contraindicated individual to the drug. Embodiments are provided in which the involved prescribers, pharmacies and patients are registered in one or more computer databases. Embodiments are also provided in which registered patients receive counseling information concerning the risks attendant to foetal exposure to the drug. Male patients and female patients who are not pregnant may, in certain circumstances, receive the drug.

Abstract: A resin removal tooling system for electric generator parallel rings including: a non-rotating sheath; a shaft mounted in the non-rotating sheath; a cleaning ball attached to the shaft, the non-rotating sheath positioning the cleaning ball; a high speed motor coupled to the shaft for rotating the shaft; a variable power supply connected to the high speed motor; and a tachometer for measuring a rotational speed of the high speed motor and the cleaning ball. A process of cleaning resin out of an electrical generator parallel ring including the following steps: inserting a cleaning ball mounted on a shaft into the parallel ring; verifying a location of the cleaning ball; rotating the shaft; measuring a rotational speed of the cleaning ball with a tachometer; and removing resin with the cleaning ball.

Abstract: A feminine hygiene device. The absorbent core can have a first compressibility in an unaltered state, wherein at least a portion of the absorbent core that is generally aligned with the longitudinal axis of the absorbent core has a second compressibility in an altered state. The second compressibility can be greater than the first compressibility. The portion of the absorbent core having the second compressibility can be a portion of the absorbent core from which absorbent material has not been completely removed. The feminine hygiene device has an elastic member generally aligned with the core longitudinal axis and spanning at least a portion of the absorbent core that has a preferentially weakened zone of compression. A portion of the absorbent core that is generally aligned with the core longitudinal axis can comprise structural features selected from the group consisting of slits, corrugations, nodules, and tufts.

Abstract: A vehicle headliner mounted center high mount stop lamp (CHMSL) including a light source disposable between a vehicle roof base layer and headliner generally aft of a vehicle, and a CHMSL frame disposable between the vehicle roof base layer and the headliner adjacent the light source. The CHMSL frame may be releasably mountable to the vehicle roof base layer by a fastener for mounting the headliner to the vehicle roof base layer. The invention also provides a method of mounting and servicing a CHMSL, including the steps of attaching the CHMSL to a vehicle roof base layer and/or a headliner, such that the CHMSL is disposed between the vehicle roof base layer and the headliner generally aft of the vehicle.

Abstract: A gas supply apparatus with improved control is provided. The gas supply apparatus provides gas at an outlet junction. The apparatus includes a gas mixer for gasses from primary and secondary supplies to a given ratio. The apparatus also includes a gas reservoir supplied by the gas mixer. A tertiary supply valve is also included and connected in parallel with the reservoir. The tertiary supply valve is adapted to connect the outlet junction to a tertiary gas supply when gas is not being supplied to a mixer by the primary and/or secondary supply.

Abstract: A fluid mixing apparatus is provided. The apparatus has a mixing volume, a primary inlet, secondary inlet, and an outlet are provided for the volume. The secondary inlet includes a valve which is adapted to be operated by a driver to pulse width modulate the valve between two flow states to achieve a given flow state through the secondary inlet.

Abstract: A system comprises towed marine geophysical equipment, adapted for towing through a body of water; and a surface covering, comprising a textural attribute of shark skin, attached to the marine geophysical equipment. A method comprises towing marine geophysical equipment having a surface covering, comprising a textural attribute of shark skin, attached thereto.

Abstract: A system comprises towed marine seismic equipment and an electropositive metal attached to the towed marine seismic equipment to protect from shark bite. A method comprises towing marine seismic equipment and attaching an electropositive metal to the towed marine seismic equipment to protect from shark bite.

Abstract: A trap and surrounding hollow station for killing target animals. The trap includes upturned sides that prevent debris from setting off the trap. The trap includes a safety catch that permits the striker to be cocked without setting the trigger. The trap includes a downwardly moving trigger retaining a bait against the trap base with a protective shell surrounding at least part of an edible bait and resisting deformation by the trigger. The station may be a sheet of foldable material that can be formed into a hollow housing with spaced apart end and side walls. Skirts on the base can be attached to a substrate to immobilize the station.

Abstract: Oligomeric compounds, compositions and methods are provided for modulating the expression of eIF4E. The antisense compounds may be single- or double-stranded and are targeted to nucleic acid encoding eIF4E. Methods of using these compounds for modulation of eIF4E expression and for diagnosis and treatment of diseases and conditions associated with expression of eIF4E are provided.

Abstract: A sheet form membrane probe, an apparatus and method, wherein the probe includes a probe body, a sheet-form membrane secured to the probe body and including an open surface exposed to the exterior of the probe; a channel formed between the probe body and the membrane through which a collector fluid can flow; an inlet port opening to the channel to conduct collector fluid to the channel; and an outlet port spaced from the inlet port such that the collector fluid passes through the channel from the inlet port to the outlet port in a flow direction substantially parallel to the membrane. The channel may be formed to provide broad surface contact of the collector fluid with the membrane. The membrane open surface may include an active area open to a sample fluid and open on an opposite side for contact with collector fluid flow in the channel. The active area may be large relative to the total membrane area to provide for an effective use of the expensive membrane material.

Abstract: A self-contained monitoring and remote testing (SMART) unit for a mail conveyance machine includes a housing and a set of condition monitoring devices provided in the housing. The housing may be sized and adapted for conveyance by the mail conveyance machine. A ruggedized processor may be included in the housing. The processor may receive data from the set of condition monitoring devices during conveyance of the unit through the mail conveyance machine. The processor may be adapted to endure vibrations and impact during conveyance. Each of the condition monitoring devices of said set may be configured to measure a different property of the conveyance machine as the housing is conveyed therethrough. The measurements from the condition monitoring devices can be used to determine an operating condition of the conveyance machine.