Abstract: A method of dynamically balancing work among a plurality of processing nodes is provided. The method includes the steps of periodically updating a node occupancy value at each of the plurality of processing nodes, communicating the respective node occupancy value of each processing node to at least one work originator node, storing the node occupancy values of the plurality of processing nodes at the at least one work originator node, and selecting, by the at least one work originator node, a processing node to perform a particular task in response to the node occupancy values of the processing nodes.

Abstract: Nucleic acids, including DNA constructs and RNA transcripts, capable of inducing coordinate expression of two to three cistrons upon direct introduction into animal tissues, are bi- or tri-cistronic polynucleotides of this invention include those encoding and co-expressing HIV gene products, genes encoding antigens unrelated to HIV, and immunostimulatory gene products, including but not limited to GM-CSF, interleukins, interferon and members of the B7 family of proteins which act as T-cell costimulatory elements. The methods and polynucleotides of this invention are generally applicable to co-ordinate expression in vivo of any two or more genes in a single cell.

Abstract: An aluminum alloy sputter target having a sputter target face for sputtering the sputter target is disclosed. The sputter target face has a textured-metastable grain structure. The textured-metastable grain structure has a grain orientation ratio of at least 35 percent (200) orientation. The textured-metastable grain structure is stable during sputtering of the sputter target. The textured-metastable grain structure has a grain size of less than 5 ?m. The method forms aluminum alloy sputter targets by first cooling an aluminum alloy target blank to a temperature of less than ?50° C. Then deforming the cooled aluminum alloy target blank introduces plastic strain into the target blank and reduces the grain size of the grains to form a textured-metastable grain structure. Finally, finishing the aluminum alloy target blank forms a finished sputter target that maintains the textured-metastable grain structure of the finished sputter target.

Abstract: The sputter target has a composition selected from the group consisting of high-purity copper and copper-base alloys. The sputter target's grain structure is at least about 99 percent recrystallized; and the sputter target's face has a grain orientation ratio of at least about 10 percent each of (111), (200), (220) and (311). In addition, the sputter target has a grain size of less than about 10 ?m for improving sputter uniformity and reducing sputter target arcing.

Abstract: The high-purity aluminum sputter target is at least 99.999 weight percent aluminum and has a grain structure. The grain structure is at least 99 percent recrystallized and has a grain size of less than 200 &mgr;m. The method forms high-purity aluminum sputter targets by first cooling a high-purity target blank to a temperature of less than −50° C. and then deforming the cooled high-purity target blank introduces intense strain into the high-purity target. After deforming, recrystallizing the grains at a temperature below 200° C. forms a target blank having at least 99 percent recrystallized grains. Finally, finishing at a low temperature sufficient to maintain the fine grain size of the high-purity target blank forms a finished sputter target.

Abstract: A vehicular drive shaft assembly is balanced about an axis of rotation. The vehicular drive shaft assembly includes a drive shaft tube having a first end and a second end, with a first tube yoke including a first radially outer wall fixedly mounted to the first end of the drive shaft tube. A first balance pendulum is located radially inward of the first outer wall and rotationally fixable relative to the first tube yoke, and a second balance pendulum is located radially inward of the first outer wall and is also rotationally fixable relative to the first tube yoke. The balance pendulums can be rotated before being locked in place in order to account for imbalances in the drive shaft assembly. A second tube yoke fixedly mounted to the second end of the drive shaft tube may also include balance pendulums, similar to the first, in order to provide additional drive shaft assembly balancing capabilities.

Abstract: Synthetic DNA molecules encoding HIV gag and modifications of HIV gag are provided. The codons of the synthetic molecules are codons preferred by the projected host cell. The synthetic molecules may be used as a polynucleotide vaccine which provides effective immunoprophylaxis against HIV infection through stimulation of neutralizing antibody and cell-mediated immunity.

Abstract: This invention describes a method to efficiently identify to a worker needed boxes, totes or product for action. The invention does not require any special mechanical material handling equipment. The invention uses a battery powered addressable radio receiver (a “container pager”) that is individually attached to containers, storage locations or product. A “host” system generates a signal which is transmitted to an individually addressed receiver. When this signal is received by the addressed receiver, the “container pager” will either activate a light or other signaling means to alert a worker. The worker identifies the container that is being addressed and takes appropriate action. A variation of the invention includes a means for the container pager itself to active a transmitter in the container pager (two way paging).

Abstract: A driveshaft assembly is balanced for rotation during use by initially disposing an annular band about a portion thereof. The band is then secured to the driveshaft assembly, such as by welding, adhesives, frictional engagement, and the like. After the band is secured to the driveshaft assembly, one or more balance weights can be secured to the band, such as by welding, adhesives, and the like, at desired locations to balance the driveshaft assembly for rotation. The band functions as a mounting surface upon which the balance weights can be secured to balance the driveshaft assembly for rotation. Because the balance weights are secured not directly to the driveshaft assembly, but rather are mounted indirectly thereon by the band, the driveshaft assembly is protected from damage that might otherwise result from welding the balance weights directly thereto.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a driveshaft for use in a vehicular drive train system includes the initial step of providing an inner tube including a portion having a plurality of splines formed therein. A portion of an outer tube is then disposed about the portion of the inner tube in an overlapping or telescoping manner, preferably in a press fit relationship. Next, portions of the outer tube are deformed radially inwardly about the inner tube. The radially inwardly deformed portions of the outer tube that extend between the external splines of the inner tube define internal splines on the outer tube. The internal splines formed on the outer tube cooperate with the external splines formed on the inner tube to provide a rotational driving connection between the inner tube and the outer tube, while normally preventing relative axial movement therebetween.

Abstract: The first-stage buckets have airfoil profiles substantially in accordance with Cartesian coordinate values of X, Y and Z set forth in Table I wherein Z is a perpendicular distance from a plane normal to a radius of the turbine centerline and containing the X and Y values with the Z value commencing at zero in the X, Y plane at the radially innermost aerodynamic section of the airfoil and X and Y are coordinates defining the airfoil profile at each distance Z. The X, Y and Z values may be scaled as a function of the same constant or number to provide a scaled-up or scaled-down airfoil section for the bucket.

Abstract: First stage turbine buckets have internal core profiles substantially in accordance with Cartesian coordinate values of X, Y and Z set forth Table I wherein X and Y values are in inches and the Z values are non-dimensional values from 0 to 1 convertible to Z distances in inches by multiplying the Z values by the height of the bucket in inches. The X and Y values are distances which, when connected by smooth continuing arcs, define internal core profile sections at each distance Z. The profile sections at each distance Z are joined smoothly to one another to form a complete internal core profile. The X, Y and Z distances may be scalable as a function of the same constant or number to provide a scaled up or scaled down internal core profile. The nominal internal core profile given by the X, Y and Z distances lies within an envelope of ±0.039 inches in directions normal to any internal core surface location.

Abstract: Pharmaceutical compositions which comprise HIV Pol DNA vaccines are disclosed, along with the production and use of these DNA vaccines. The pol-based DNA vaccines of the invention are administered directly introduced into living vertebrate tissue, preferably humans, and preferably express inactivated versions of the HIV Pol protein devoid of protease, reverse transcriptase activity, RNase H activity and integrase activity, inducing a cellular immune response which specifically recognizes human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1). The DNA molecules which comprise the open reading frame of these DNA vaccines are synthetic DNA molecules encoding codon optimized HIV-1 Pol and codon optimized inactive derivatives of optimized HIV-1 Pol, including DNA molecules which encode inactive Pol proteins which comprise an amino terminal leader peptide.

Abstract: A vacuum demand valve for delivering a flowable material is disclosed. The valve has a housing having a proximal end, a distal end, an intermediate segment therebetween defining a passageway wherein the flowable substance can flow from the proximal end to the distal end. The housing can be a tubing. A valve member is located along the intermediate segment. The valve member has a closed condition wherein the flow of the flowable material from the proximal end to the distal end is stopped and an open condition wherein the flow of the flowable material from the proximal end to the distal end is unstopped. The valve member is biased in the closed condition and is responsive to a partial vacuum provided by the user through the passageway for placing the valve member in the open condition.

Abstract: The method forms a sputter target assembly by attaching a sputter target to an insert and applying a bond metal layer between the insert and a backing plate. Then pressing the insert and backing plate together forms a solid state bond with the bond metal layer, attaches the insert to the backing plate and forms at least one cooling channel between the insert and the backing plate. A filler metal secures the outer perimeter of the insert to the backing plate in order to eliminate leakage from the cooling channel during sputtering of the sputter target.

Abstract: Synthetic DNA molecules encoding HIV gag and modifications of HIV gag are provided. The codons of the synthetic molecules are codons preferred by the projected host cell. The synthetic molecules may be used as a polynucleotide vaccine which provides effective immunoprophylaxis against HIV infection through stimulation of neutralizing antibody and cell-mediated immunity.

Abstract: The method manufactures high-purity ferromagnetic sputter targets by cryogenic working the sputter target blank at a temperature below at least −50° C. to impart at least about 5 percent strain into the sputter target blank to increase PTF uniformity of the target blank. The sputter target blank is a nonferrous metal selected from the group consisting of cobalt and nickel; and the nonferrous metal has a purity of at least about 99.99 weight percent. Finally, fabricating the sputter target blank forms a sputter target having an improved PTF uniformity arising from the cryogenic working.

Abstract: A precious metal sputter target has a composition selected from the group consisting of platinum, palladium, rhodium, iridium, ruthenium, osmium and single-phase alloys thereof. The sputter target's grain structure is at least about 99 percent recrystallized and has a grain size of less than about 200 &mgr;m for improving sputter uniformity. The cryogenic method for producing these sputter targets is also effective for improving sputter performance for silver and gold sputter targets.

Abstract: The sputter target has a composition selected from the group consisting of high-purity copper and copper-base alloys. The sputter target's grain structure is at least about 99 percent recrystallized; and the sputter target's face has a grain orientation ratio of at least about 10 percent each of (111), (200), (220) and (311). In addition, the sputter target has a grain size of less than about 10 &mgr;m for improving sputter uniformity and reducing sputter target arcing.