Abstract: The invention provides metallic medical implants or medical implant parts having a bearing surface comprising a boronized metal layer. The invention further provides a process for producing a medical implant or medical implant part comprising a boronized metal layer.

Abstract: A door module assembly includes a door module panel having a plurality of locating pins. An inner door panel includes a plurality of openings that cooperate with the plurality of locating pins to align the door module panel relative to the inner door panel and to retain the door module panel on the inner door panel without requiring fasteners. The plurality of plurality of locating pins is orientated obliquely relative to the door module panel with each one of the plurality of locating pins being received within one of the openings, which extend obliquely relative to the inner door panel. At least one door module component, such as a window lift mechanism or door lock mechanism, for example, is mounted to the door module panel independently from the plurality of locating pins.

Abstract: A caller ID device includes a switch and a control circuit in communication with the switch, wherein the control circuit includes a memory, the memory having a table of blocked calls, and wherein each of the blocked calls is identified as a blocked call in response to a user activating the switch.

Abstract: A system for searching for patterns of semiconductor wafer features for use in silicon manufacturing and device fabrication processes, the system including: a data acquisition system 00 for acquiring scan data from differing types of semiconductor wafer scanning tools such as wafer dimensional tools 10, wafer inspection tools 12, and wafer nanotopography tools 14; a buffer system 02 for providing temporary storage for scan data transmitted and for providing fault tolerance; a server system 04 for providing storage for the scan data transmitted from the buffer system 02 and converting the scan data into a format used by and stored in a database 08 management system; an analysis system 06 client station including a display and communicating with the server system 04, the analysis system 06 and the server system 04 providing scan data structuring and query operations and data transfer operations.

Abstract: A class of anionic oligomers and polymers that function for inhibition of nucleases, particularly RNase. Specific inhibitors include mixtures of oligomers of vinyl sulfate. Methods for inhibition or inactivation of one or more nucleases in vitro which comprises the step of contacting the one or more nucleases in a biological medium with one or more of the anionic oligomeric or polymeric inhibitors of this invention. Kits for carrying out a biological procedure, biological reaction and/or a biological assay containing one or more inhibitors of this invention. The use of oligomers and/or polymers of this invention as additives in buffers or reagents. The inhibitors of the invention can also be attached to surfaces to provide for removal of nucleases from media, solutions or other liquids in contact with the solid.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing image data/information products to customers are provided. A data management facility generates a graphical user interface that is viewed by customers on computer systems coupled to a processor of the data management facility over a network. The graphical user interface allows a customer to search at least one of stored image data/information products or algorithms, to select at least one of the stored image data/information products or algorithms, and to select a desired geographic location. The data management facility generates a data/information product based on the selected image data/information product and the selected geographic location, and receives a request for an image data/information product, if a desired image data/information product cannot be found in the data management facility. In addition, the processor sends the generated image data/information product to the customer and bills the requestor based on the generated image data product.

Abstract: A mobile teaching system is disclosed which allows the use of personal computing devices in a learning environment. A plurality of portable computers may communicate with a portable network center to undergo lesson plans, testing, and other educational tasks. The portable computers may be stored in a mobile storage unit that may also serve as a network communications center, and may also provide power connections for the computers. The computers may include removable, rechargeable batteries, which may be recharged at the storage unit.

Abstract: A method and article of manufacture, implementing the method, allocates space for a dataset. The dataset has an initial area and zero or more additional allocated areas to provide space for storing the dataset. The size of a new additional area is determined. The new additional area is associated with a new area number, and the size of the new additional area is based on the new area number. Additional space for the dataset is allocated based on the size of the new additional area. Alternately, an apparatus stores a dataset. A computer has a data storage device connected thereto. The data storage device has a plurality of areas for storing a dataset. The plurality of areas comprises an initial area having an initial area size and a plurality of additional areas having an additional area size, wherein the additional area size varies. In one embodiment, the additional area size monotonically increases.

Abstract: A method to determine the capacity of a plant over a time window of interest, the time window having a time length P, having the steps of: (a) gathering the plant's historical production data over a selected time period of length L and calculating the cycle entries of availability fractions for that data set; (b) calculating capacity C(i,1) for each contiguous portion p(i,1) of length p of the cycle entries from the previous step; (c) storing that calculated capacities C(i,1); (d) randomly shuffling the cycle entries; (e) calculating the capacity C(i,2) for each contiguous portion p(i,2) of the shuffled cycle entries; (f) storing the calculated capacities C(i,2); and (g) repeating steps (e)-(f) for a sufficient number of iterations, and then creating a histogram of the calculated capacities C(i,j).

Abstract: Increased efficiency and lower cost job scheduling is provided by a system and method that optimizes for cost instead of makespan, and minimizes fluctuations in resource utilization. A schedule is constructed using a workflow scheduling system that includes a load leveler, a cost minimizer, and a manpower planner. The load leveler minimizes makespan, subject to resource limits, and then lowers the resource limits, repeating the process in order to create a flatter schedule. The cost minimizer generates an initial solution, and then incrementally improves it, using the manpower planner to evaluate the different possible solutions. The manpower planner calculates, for a given schedule, the optimal hire/fire decisions to minimize total cost.

Abstract: Disclosed is a naturally encapsulated disposable data storage system for storing and retrieving data from within a self-contained environment and a method for encapsulation of data storage devices. The encapsulated data storage system contains one or more data storage devices that are encapsulated in a manner impervious to external environments. The natural encapsulation method enables the creation of a self-contained environment for the operation of the data storage devices, while maintaining a hermetic seal between the data storage devices and the surrounding environment and allowing the encapsulation to occur at ambient temperature and pressure.

Abstract: A slim-line hand tool trenching system for narrowly penetrating topsoil and creating a trench with a wider bottom and a smaller top opening, with improved vertical handling and providing reduced topsoil damage.

Abstract: In a mobile telephone network, apparatus and method assist the user of a mobile station registered with a first network (-home network-) to abstain from completing a call when the mobile station gets involved with a foreign/international network other than the first network, which might result in unwanted charges. The mobile station includes first and second settings to identify respectively the first network and the foreign/international network. If the mobile station during roaming is connected to a foreign/international network, before a call is consummated, the mobile station produces an ‘indication’ which may be distinct from a normal ringing tone, e.g., a distinct beep or noise or click or even a vibration of the hand held mobile station casing.

Abstract: A forklift attachment for rolled flooring including a pair of hollow supports each having open inner ends. The pairs of hollow supports are arranged in a side-by-side orientation. The open inner ends receive the pair of drive forks of the forklift therein. Pairs of support braces are secured to and extend upwardly from the pair of hollow supports. An elongated pole is secured to and extends laterally from the support braces. The elongated pole has an inner end and an outer end. The inner end is secured to an inner most of the support braces. The outer end extends outwardly to a position beyond the hollow supports whereby a free length of the elongated pole can support a roll of flooring thereon.

Abstract: A method to determine the capacity of a plant over a time window of interest, the time window having a time length P, having the steps of: (a) gathering the plant's historical production data over a selected time period of length L and calculating the cycle entries for that data set; (b) calculating capacity C(i,1) for each contiguous portion p(i,1) of length p of the cycle entries from the previous step; (c) storing that calculated capacities C(i,1); (d) randomly shuffling the cycle entries; (e) calculating the capacity C(i,2) for each contiguous portion p(i,2) of the shuffled cycle entries; (f) storing the calculated capacities C(i,2); and (g) repeating steps (e)-(f) for a sufficient number of iterations, and then creating a histogram of the calculated capacities C(i,j).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for transporting thin materials, such as printed circuit boards, through an apparatus for treatment of said boards with an etchant, rinse or other chemical process step, including a transport conveyor having a plurality of rotation members with a specially configured rim for contacting the thin materials and moving them through the apparatus with a longer contact path in each rotation of a rotation member than the circumference of the rotation member.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for removing grit from sewage comprising passing sewage containing grit along a channel, the sewage passing initially through a straight elongate portion of constant width and of length sufficient to stablize the flow and subsequently passing the sewage around a bend portion having an angle of at least 10 degrees from the straight portion and, downstream of the bend, removing the grit from the flow via a port situated at the inside of the bend at the base of the channel via a grit hopper coupled to the port and coupled to a draw-off point to remove the grit for disposal.

Abstract: A novel method of inhibiting blood platelet aggregation is disclosed which comprises the use of a CAMP inhibitor together with an inhibitor of thromboxane synthesis. While inhibitors of thromboxane synthesis are only weak inhibitors of platelet aggregation, the addition of only a small amount of a CAMP inhibitor has been found to result in a synergistic increase in the degree of platelet aggregation resulting from such combined additions. Marked increases over the otherwise expected culumative effects of these inhibitors have been demonstrated using combination of various thromboxane synthetase inhibitors and various CAMP inhibitors.

Abstract: A pressure surge relief system for a liquid transporting pipeline, comprising a surge relief line adapted to be tapped from the pipeline. The relief line includes a valve which is conditioned to open quickly to substantial flow when the pressure in the line exceeds a predetermined safe limit, which is well above the normal pipeline pressure. When the valve opens, it diverts to a closed receptacle, that quantity of liquid which is necessary to prevent the pressure from exceeding said predetermined limit. Hence, in the event of the surge, much of the pressure is absorbed in the liquid and pipe, and just that quantity of liquid which is necessary to relieve pressures of unsafe proportions is discharged to the closed receptacle. The receptacle is pre-charged with a gas to cushion the impact of the surge and also includes means to dissipate energy of the liquid surge and to bring the liquid to a state of quiescence as quickly as possible.

Abstract: A method for inhibiting blood platelet aggregation by the oral or parenteral administration to a mammal of all cis-8,11,14-eicosatrienoic acid, a compound having the formula: ##STR1## Also disclosed are other fatty acids exhibiting blood platelet aggregation inhibition properties.