Abstract: A golf bag alarm provides notification of the lifting or moving of a golf bag, to the owner thereof who may be remotely located from the bag. The alarm includes a golf bag component which may be semi-permanently installed upon an existing golf bag, or permanently, integrally installed with a golf bag during bag manufacture. The golf bag component includes a weight actuated switch, an alarm transmitter, a receiver for remotely arming the alarm, and may also include an audio or visual alarm. The second component is carried by the golfer, and includes a transmitter for remotely arming and disarming the alarm system of the golf bag unit, a receiver for detecting an alarm signal from the golf bag unit, and an alarm. The system is valuable for the golfer who must leave his/her bag outside while visiting a golf clubhouse, course restaurant, etc.

Abstract: Expandable implants for intervertebral disc repair, and methods and apparatuses for delivering the same into the disc. The present implants can also be used for repair of bone fractures. The implants generally comprise a compressed form having a size adapted for insertion into a defect in the intervertebral disc, and a composition that allows the implant to expand from the compressed form into an expanded form after the implant is inserted into the defect. The expanded form of the implant has a configuration that fills the defect in the disc. The defect in the disc can be an annular defect that resulted from repair of a herniation of the disc, or a nucleus that needs to be repaired. The composition used to make the implant can comprise a shape memory alloy (SMA) or any other suitable material.

Abstract: A peeling apparatus includes a frame, and at least one set of abrasive rollers carried by the frame to define at least one peeling chamber. Each abrasive roller includes an elongate body portion having an abrasive outer surface and may have a pair of mounting stubs permanently affixed to respective opposing ends of the elongate body portion. The elongate body portion and the pair of mounting stubs may each comprise metal, and the pair of mounting stubs may be welded to respective ends of the elongate body portion to provide the permanent fixation. The abrasive outer surface may include a plurality of knurls arranged in a pattern. Each knurl may also comprise a leading edge portion being steeper than a trailing edge portion.

Abstract: This invention provides a disk drive having an actuator for engaging and disengaging read/write heads with a recording medium, where the actuator comprises a head stack assembly, on which the heads are mounted, a guide track on which the head stack assembly slides, and a diamond-like carbon (DLC) coating on at least a portion of the guide track, wherein reduced actuator friction and increased wear resistance is achieved. The invention also provides an actuator, for mounting in a disk drive and for communicating with a recording medium, a head stack assembly having read/write heads thereon, a corrosion resistant, heat dissipating guide track on which the head stack assembly slides, and a DLC coating on at least a portion of the guide track, for reducing actuator friction and wear and wherein corrosion resistance and heat dissipation is achieved.

Abstract: This invention provides an anionic borate ligand, and its synthesis. Zwitterionic complexes formed by the ligand and a metal, and Group 9 and 10 metals in particular, are described. Uses of the complexes in stoichiometric and catalytic reaction chemistry are also provided.

Abstract: A screw-clamp assembly is useful for connecting a pair of spine rods in a spinal fixation system. The screw-clamp assembly includes an upper half-clamp, a lower half-clamp, an anchor screw, and a nut for clamping the half-clamps together. The upper and lower half-clamps mate to define a pair of openings for receiving the spine rods. The anchor screw is placed through an aperture in the lower half-clamp, an aperture in the upper half-clamp, and is threaded into a nut. By tightening the nut, the half-clamps are drawn together to securely grip the spine rods. A pair of screw clamp assemblies are arranged with perpendicular openings to be combined with a transverse rod to form a transverse connector assembly for bridging a pair of generally parallel spine rods.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for producing a spectrally variable radiation source and systems including same is disclosed. An embodiment of a spectrally variable radiation source is disclosed including a broadband radiation source, a collimating element, a dispersive element, an imaging element, an output aperture and an optional output collimating element. An embodiment of a spectrally encoded infrared chromatograph incorporating the inventive spatially variable radiation source is disclosed. An arbitrary spectrum projector for simulating emission or absorption spectra for chemical and biological agents, as well as projecting calibration and test spectra for characterizing sensors is also disclosed.

Abstract: A three zone, reinforced, continuous, geometrically symmetrical microporous membrane including a porous support material encapsulated within a middle zone disposed between an upper zone and a lower zone wherein at least one of the three zones has a pore size at least about twenty (20%) percent different than the pore size of the other two zones is disclosed. Apparatus and methods for fabricating three zone reinforced, continuous, geometrically symmetrical, microporous membrane are also disclosed.

Abstract: A novel group of gastrokines called Gastric Antrum Mucosal Protein is characterized. A member of the group is designated AMP-18. AMP-18 genomic DNA, cDNA and the AMP-18 protein are sequenced for human, mouse and pig. The AMP-18 protein and active peptides derived from it are cellular growth factors. Surprisingly, peptides capable of inhibiting the effects of the complete protein, are also derived from the AMP-18 protein. Control of mammalian gastro-intestinal tissues growth and repair is facilitated by the use of the proteins, making the proteins candidates for therapies.

Abstract: A spiral wound filter element is disclosed which includes at least three radially successive prequalifying sections of filter medium commencing with a radially outer prequalifying section of filter medium and concluding with a radially inner prequalifying section of filter medium, each prequalifying section of filter medium having a number of perforation formed therein, wherein the number of perforations in the filter medium of each radially successive prequalifying sections is less than the number of perforations in the filter medium of a radially preceding prequalifying section, and further including a radially inner qualifying section of filter medium succeeding the radially inner prequalifying section, the radially inner qualifying section of filter medium having imperforate filtering layers.

Abstract: The present invention is a method for tracking identity traits of commodities during the production, handling, processing and/or distribution chain of the commodity. The method includes providing a database having a unique identifier identifying a commodity to be tracked, inputting identity traits of the commodity into the database, associating the inputted identity traits with the unique identifier, tagging the commodity with a tag associated with the unique identifier, and selectively retrieving from the database the preserved identity traits of the commodity by querying the database.

Abstract: A bed having a foot prop on an adjustable length deck foot section and a mattress with a length and thickness adjustable foot section and a thickness adjustable heel section. The adjustability of the deck and the mattress allows sizing of the bed to the occupant as well as heel management. The foot prop is also adjustable.

Abstract: Expansion resistant filter cartridge assemblies are provided that facilitate filtering of strong solvent solutions. The filter cartridge assemblies generally include a cylindrical filter element defining an outer periphery, an inner periphery and opposed end surfaces, a perforated cage operatively associated with the outer periphery of the filter element, a perforated core operatively associated with the inner periphery of the filter element and having opposed ends and a predetermined length, and an end cap operatively associated with each of the opposed end surfaces of the filter element and bonded to each end of the core. The perforated cage generally includes an expansion region of about 2.5% to about 4% of the total length of the filter cartridge, e.g., a region of axial discontinuity or a plurality of angular struts, to accommodate swelling and/or dimensional expansion of the cage without adversely affecting the integrity of the filter cartridge assembly.

Abstract: A method of initializing an ITU Recommendation G.729 Annex B voice activity detection (VAD) device is disclosed, having the steps of (1) extracting a set of parameters from a signal that characterize the signal; (2) calculating an energy measure of the signal from the set of parameters; (3) comparing the energy measure with a reference value; (4) determining an initial value for an average of a noise characteristic of the signal; and (5) counting the number of times the energy measure equals or exceeds the reference level.

Abstract: A hair relaxation composition is provided. The hair relaxation comprises an activator containing a thiosulfate compound, an acidifier that preferably does not impart a color change to the hair, and a catalyst. The composition has a pH ranging from about 3.0 to about 4.5. A method for relaxing hair is also provided. A composition as described above is applied to the hair. The composition is allowed to remain on the hair for a period of time ranging from about 10 minutes to about 60 minutes. The composition is removed from the hair. The application, standing and removal steps are then repeated.

Abstract: A VCO modulator controller including a ROM memory storing a number of waveform maps, a counter coupled to the ROM memory and capable of developing a sequence of ROM addresses, a temporal bit generator responsive to a data stream to develop a next bit Nb, a current bit Cb, and a past bit Pb, control circuitry developing a digital waveform signal from selected waveform maps in the ROM memory using the Nb, Cb, and Pb bits and the sequence of ROM memory outputs, and a DAC that converts the digital waveform signal to an analog VCO control signal that encodes said data stream.

Abstract: Method of identifying resistance to Hepatitis C infection wherein the presence of HLA-DRB1*1301-3, HLA-DRB1*1201, HLA-DRB1*1101 or HLA-DRB1*0701 are identified. Peptides capable of modifying immune response and methods of treating Hepatitis C are also disclosed.

Abstract: Application of two-dimensional materials (TDMs) that are exfoliated transition metal dichalcogenides in electrochemical fuel cells to remove contaminants that are harmful to the fuel cells; to effect proper transport and containment of various fluids in fuel cells to achieve proper and efficient operation; to protect various surfaces and materials commonly comprised in or used for fuel cells and critical to their operation; and to purify and lower the freezing point of cooling water used for the fuel cell stacks. Disclosed are methods whereby the TDM is used as a barrier to prevent unwanted crossover (between electrodes through a polymer electrolyte membrane or PEM) of chemical species; where the TDM is used to coat and/or encapsulate catalyst particles, carbon catalyst support, PEMs, and chemical or metal hydrides, to protect the same from unwanted exposure to chemical species; and where the TDM is used to purify and lower the freezing point of fuel cell stack cooling water.

Abstract: Macrocells, e.g., Random Access Memory (“RAM”), are arranged in columns and disposed in a core of an integrated circuit (IC) chip. The macrocells can abut each other within the columns or can be separated from each other by standard cells which are disposed to fill gaps between the macrocells within the columns. Power/ground rails are disposed vertically along the sides of the columns. The power/ground rails run the full height of the core and couple to a power/ground ring disposed along the perimeter of the core. The power/ground rails also couple to the macrocells and the standard cells and provide power to those cells. The columns can form right angles with horizontal standard cell rows, thus enabling the standard cells to couple easily to the vertically disposed power/ground rails.

Abstract: A media serial number (MS#) for a removable data storage cartridge (22) is asymmetrically encrypted using a private key (106) from a key list (103) which never leaves the factory. This factory encrypted value (FEMS#) is stored in a secure memory device (46) in the cartridge, along with an identifier (FKI#). A drive (21) can obtain the encrypted value and associated identifier from the memory device, and pass them to a requesting program (76), which has a list (176) that it accesses with the identifier to obtain a public key it then uses to decrypt the information. An additional feature involves a second level of asymmetric encryption using additional lists of public and private keys. Another feature permits the requesting program to include in its request a random number, which is subsequently included with the information encrypted at the second level.