Abstract: Corruption of features formed by etching a metal-containing web in a continuous etch process is reduced by distorting the original design or designs of the features to compensate for localized areas subject to excessive etching during the continuous etch process. In the case of a planar speaker diaphragm, for example, the width of the portions of the trace that are in a cross-machine direction is increased to compensate for the higher etching rate caused by the motion through the etch bath. While this causes the modified trace design to appear to be distorted relative to the original trace design, the etched trace resulting from the modified trace design has improved uniformity and greater fidelity to the original trace design than if the original trace design had been used in the continuous etch process.

Abstract: A system for communicating video data in a digital media device includes an application layer having one or more applications and further includes a device driver layer associated with an operating system and video hardware of the digital media device. A video abstraction layer (VAL) coupled to the application layer and to the device driver layer includes a send queue containing ordered references to buffers that are each capable of containing video data. The VAL also includes a receive queue containing ordered references to buffers each capable of containing video data. The send queue and receive queue are used in substantially the same manner for both incoming video data received into the digital media device and outgoing video data to be communicated from the digital media device.

Abstract: A non-disruptive, on-line testing and switchover method and apparatus in a high availability, fiber channel switching environment. In a network having an active switching element, a redundant switching element and a port, one aspect of the present invention provides for verifying a working data path from the port to the redundant switching element, and thereafter verifying a working control path to the redundant switching element. Both verification tests take place without interrupting operation on the network. In addition, another aspect of the present invention provides for recognizing a failure occurrence in the active switching element, and thereafter switching to the redundant switching element with the potential for minimal frame loss.

Abstract: A system (and method) includes a sound monitoring system, a detector for identifying a source of the sound, a computing system for processing the sound to trigger a notification event, and a user interface system for notifying at least one individual responsible for the sound.

Abstract: The system for maintaining the integrity of application data functions to provide a mechanism to generate safe and efficient database transactions. This is accomplished by minimizing the number of constraints applied to the data stored in the database by segmenting the database into two portions: a set of base data objects and a set of view data objects. The base data objects comprise a set of data that is normalized to reduce the need for complex integrity checks. The set of view data objects represents views of the base data objects as presented in a form needed by the various applications extant in the processor. The system for maintaining the integrity of application data enables the applications to access both the view data objects the base data objects, but to effect a change in the data contained therein, access via an integrity checking process is only provided to the base data objects.

Abstract: A synthetic chew toy can be formed as a composite of two different materials. The toy can be formed with a rigid synthetic frame, supporting a softer chew portion. The chew portion can include a plurality of projections, preferably having a cylindrical shape with a hemispheric end, extending outward from a base of the chew portion. Thus, the rigidity of the frame provides structure, support and durability for the chew toy, and the relatively softer chew portion can provide beneficial effects to a pets teeth and gums, or provide greater chewing pleasure. A scent insert can be housed within the frame and scent can be emitted through passageways through the chew portion and frame.

Abstract: A system for validating network communication, such as e-mail. A person sending information to a previously unverified recipient first enters “Address Book” information about the unverified recipient into the sender's e-mail system. Part of this initial information includes the recipient's e-mail address and a way of communicating with the intended recipient other than by using the e-mail address. For example, regular mail, fax, or other means can be specified. When the sender sends the information to the intended recipient, the recipient is not able to receive the information until an identification code is entered by the intended recipient. The identification code is transferred via the different way of communicating that does not use the intended recipient's e-mail address. For example, the code can be sent via fax. The intended recipient then logs on to the e-mail system and enters their user name and the code.

Abstract: A system and method for enhancing turbulence detection, display and alerting with avionics weather radars which includes automatically making multiple scans, measuring a wind velocity gradient at varying elevations, and comparing the measured gradient to known predetermined wind velocity gradients over known elevation variations, wherein the predetermined gradients have known vertical shear components, and using a vertical shear component information in making determinations regarding the existence of turbulence.

Abstract: A synthetic chew toy can be formed as a composite of two different materials. The toy can be formed with a rigid synthetic frame, supporting a softer chew portion. The chew portion can include a plurality of projections, preferably having a cylindrical shape with a hemispheric end, extending outward from a base of the chew portion. Thus, the rigidity of the frame provides structure, support and durability for the chew toy, and the relatively softer chew portion can provide beneficial effects to a pets teeth and gums, or provide greater chewing pleasure. A scent insert can be housed within the frame and scent can be emitted through passageways through the chew portion and frame.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are used to format and display data on the Web. A request is received on an application server from a Web client, a connection is established to a data repository via the application server, the data is retrieved from the data repository, formatted on the application server in a predetermined reporting format, and displayed on a display device coupled to the Web client.

Abstract: A manufacturing process of cellulose solution with low viscosity includes the step of dissolving a cellulose in a mixture solvent which is produced by mixing an additional solvent mixture, N-methylol caprolactom, with a main solvent, N-methyl morpholine oxide. The present invention not only can increase the swelling of the pulp during the dissolving process, but also can lower the viscosity of the cellulose solution that enables the manufacturing process to process at lower temperature and the cellulose solution produced to spin in higher spinning speed. Therefore, the physical property and the quality of the final fiber product are improved by eliminating the problem of cellulose polymerization decay.

Abstract: A general method for vaccinating against any pathogen is presented. The method utilizes expression library immunization, where an animal is inoculated with an expression library constructed from fragmented genomic DNA of the pathogen. All potential epitopes of the pathogen's proteins are encoded in its DNA, and genetic immunization is used to directly introduce one or more expression library clones to the immune system, producing an immune response to the encoded protein. Inoculation of expression libraries representing portions of the Mycoplasma pulmonis genome was shown to protect mice from subsequent challenge by this natural pathogen. Protection against Listeria.

Abstract: A pair of complementary MOSFET's having regions of a common conductivity type separating the source and drain regions thereof which are provided on a support structure formed of an electrical insulating layer on a semiconductor material base. MOSFET's has a gate oxide layer on which is provided a gate semiconductor structure, with these structures each being of a common conductivity type and located across the gate oxide layers from the corresponding common conductivity type region.

Abstract: A method and circuit (10) for limiting current (I.sub.COIL) in a load (16). The current limiting circuit (10) includes a sensing circuit (12) having a current indicator output terminal (20) connected to an inverting input of a comparator (11). A reference voltage node (24) of a reference voltage generator (13) is connected to the non-inverting input of the comparator (11). The comparator (11) generates an output signal in accordance with the current flowing in the load (16). If an overcurrent condition exists, the signal from the comparator (11) disables a control circuit (14) which turns off the sensing circuit (12). With the control circuit (14) disabled and sensing circuit (14) off, the current (I.sub.COIL) is prevented from flowing through the load (16).

Abstract: The invention provides pure receptor protein tyrosine kinase (PTK) subtypes, tyro-1-8 and tyro-10-12, polynucleotides encoding these PTK subtypes and the use of oligonucleotides which align with the flanking regions of the receptor PTK subtypes, thereby allowing amplification of the polynucleotides encoding the receptor PTK subtype.

Abstract: A novel protein tyrosine kinase (PTK) designated tyro-3 is provided herein. Polynucleotides encoding tyro-3 are also provided. Tyro-3 is identified and characterized as being expressed in brain tissue.

Abstract: A general method for vaccinating against any pathogen is presented. The method utilizes expression library immunization, where an animal is inoculated with an expression library constructed from fragmented genomic DNA of the pathogen. All potential epitopes of the pathogen's proteins are encoded in its DNA, and genetic immunization is used to directly introduce one or more expression library clones to the immune system, producing an immune response to the encoded protein. Inoculation of expression libraries representing portions of the Mycoplasma pulmonis genome was shown to protect mice from subsequent challenge by this natural pathogen. Protection against Listeria was also obtained using the method.

Abstract: A powder storage and applicator device including a casing defining a top-open chamber, which holds a powdered beauty product, a screen covered on the casing over the top-open chamber, a detachable cover plate adapted for covering on the casing over the screen, and a flat handle pivoted to the casing, wherein when the handle is extended out for the holding of the hand, the powdered beauty product can be applied to the body by: patting the body with the screen or rubbing the screen over the body.

Abstract: A golf ball teeing device and associated cage for catching a golf ball it from the teeing device includes a manually actuated trough for teeing one ball after another in succession on a tee to be hit. A cage catches the balls that are hit, and a ball return mechanism returns the balls to the teeing device. The returned balls line up in a row in alignment with a ball entrance of the teeing device. One ball at a time is fed to a ball cavity in the teeing device. The person using the teeing device actuates an elongate trough that is associated with the ball cavity to pivot downwardly allowing the ball in the ball cavity to roll down the trough. A guide on the distal end of the trough sets the ball on a tee, and the trough can then be returned to its ready position in which a new ball is fed to the ball cavity. After hitting the teed ball, the user again actuates the trough to tee the next ball that is to be hit.

Abstract: A game system includes two uprights formed of three telescoping sections. The lower section extends into a base which is positioned into the supporting surface or related ground. A plurality of securing structures are positioned along the length of each upright to receive a net. The net has at least two elastically-deformable straps extending away therefrom for securing the net to the uprights for use at least two sports. Alternate game structure may be secured to the upright, including a tetherball, a soccer ball, a soccer net, a golf ball receiving net, and a baseball practice structure. Also, net-securing structure may be secured to one of the uprights to receive a net for storage.