Abstract: A method to erase data from a flash EEPROM while electrical charges trapped in the tunneling oxide of a flash EEPROM are eliminated to maintain proper separation of the programmed threshold voltage and the erased threshold voltage after extended programming and erasing cycles. The method to erase a flash EEPROM cell begins by channel erasing to remove charge from the floating gate of the flash EEPROM cell. The channel erasing consists of applying a first relatively large negative voltage pulse to the control gate of said EEPROM cell and concurrently applying a first moderately large positive voltage pulse to a first diffusion well. At the same time a ground reference potential is applied to the semiconductor substrate, while the drain and a second diffusion well is allowed to float. The method to erase then proceeds with the source erasing to detrap the tunneling oxide of the flash EEPROM cell.

Abstract: A length-adjustable screwdriver including a handle having a polygonal center hole, a polygonal tube slidably mounted in the polygonal center hole of the handle, a collar block controlled by a chuck to lock the polygonal tube at the desired location, a shaft mounted in the polygonal tube and having a magnet at its front end adapted for securing a tool bit at the front end of the polygonal tube by magnetic attraction, and a sleeve slidably sleeved onto the polygonal tube, the sleeve having a spring-supported ball forced into engagement with one of a longitudinal series of locating holes of the polygonal tube to secure the sleeve at the desired location and a polygonal center through hole adapted for holding a tool bit when the front end of the sleeve protrudes over the front end of the polygonal tube.

Abstract: A controlled release nifedipine tablet which comprises:(a) a homogeneous compressed core which comprises:(i) a medicament;(ii) a water soluble osmotic compound(iii) one or more osmotic polymers; and(b) a membrane coating which completely covers said core tablet which comprises a mixture of:(i) a water insoluble pharmaceutically acceptable polymer; and(ii) an enteric polymer.

Abstract: A retractable handle comprises a first half grip, a second half grip coupled with the first half grip, a push button disposed beneath the first half grip and the second half grip, a base seat, first and second outer pipes disposed between the base seat and the first and second half grips, first and second inner pipes inserted in the corresponding first and second outer pipes respectively, a first positioning device disposed in a lower portion of the first inner pipe, a first rod inserted in the first inner pipe to connect the first portioning device and the push button, a second positioning device disposed in a lower portion of the second inner pipe, and a second rod inserted in the second inner pipe to connect the second positioning device and the push button.

Abstract: A computer system automatically takes a sequence of stepping images from peripheral angiography and mosaics them into a single full-leg display by globally matching the bone and the vessel by measuring an overlapping ratio and by locally refining detailed anatomical features using deformation. The system combines multiple evidence in the entire overlapped image/candidate rows and maximizes the ratio of overlap. This approach takes evidence from the multiple rows and provides a more reliable result. In addition, local refinement is applied to compensate for the possible mismatch and nonlinear patient movement.

Abstract: A protruding embroidery process includes the following steps. Lay and fix a flat filler having an even thickness of not more than 4.5 mm and a size larger than the contour size of a desired embroidering figure on an embroidering background so as to cover the portion which the desired figure is required to embroider. Perforate the filler a plurality of consecutive interval perforations along the contour of the desired embroidering figure. Fully wrap up an embroidering portion of the filler, which is surrounded by the consecutive interval perforations, with the embroidering background by sewing thread along the consecutive interval perforations until the whole embroidering portion, including its side edges, is fully covered and wrapped up with thread and the leftover portion of the filler is fully cut off from the embroidering portion. Remove the leftover portion and the protruding embroidery is then provided.

Abstract: New organic light-emitting diodes and related electroluminescent devices and methods for fabrication, using siloxane self-assembly techniques.

Abstract: A method, medical device (10) and test kit for capacitation of sperm for fertilizing eggs in vitro or in vivo, is described. The sperm is particularly from lower mammals, such as domestic animals and wild animals to be bred in captivity. The capacitated sperm is also useful in research relating to the nature of capacitation of sperm following modification of the head of the sperm upon capacitation.

Abstract: A process for crosslinking polysuccinimide (PSI) by reacting dry PSI with an N-containing crosslinker.

Abstract: An electronic ballast for driving a fluorescent lamp includes an electromagnetic interference (EMI) filter and power circuit, a preconditioner coupled to the EMI filter and power circuit and an inverter circuit coupled to the preconditioner for energizing the fluorescent lamp. The preconditioner includes an active power factor controller and a boost circuit which is controlled at least in part by the active power factor controller. The active power factor controller has a reference voltage input to which is applied a reference voltage. At start up, the inverter provides a time varying signal which is rectified.

Abstract: Methods for the identification of inducers and inhibitors of apoptosis are described. The method exploits the finding that the exposure of cells to apoptotic stress and its concurrent shutdown of cellular protein synthesis is accompanied by phosphorylation of IF-2.alpha. and a novel protein termed p90.

Abstract: A tool handle assembly includes a barrel having a bore and a cap having a hole. An element has a front tube for engaging through the bore of the barrel and has a rear protrusion for engaging in the hole of the cap. The tube includes an annular rib for engaging with and for rotatably supporting the barrel on the tube, and for allowing the barrel and the element and the cap to be assembled together without additional tool. The element includes a curved upper and bottom portions for allowing the user to grasp comfortably.

Abstract: A mechanical-type automatic circuit-breaking appliance switch assembly includes a switch housing, a switch unit, an elongate switch actuator and a biasing member. The switch housing is formed with a slide channel and is formed with an opening that is aligned with the slide channel. The switch unit is disposed in the switch housing adjacent to the slide channel. The switch unit has contact terminals that extend out of the switch housing, and a switch contact that faces the slide channel and that is capable of being pressed to operate the switch unit from a circuit-breaking state to a circuit-making state. The switch actuator is received in the slide channel and has first and second portions.

Abstract: A computer system with unattended on-demand availability includes power-saving features which place the system into a Standby mode whenever the system is idle or is not being used. Prior to entering Standby mode, the system sets a hardware timer which indicates when the next scheduled event in the system should be performed. When either the timer expires or another event occurs which requires system operation, the system resumes to the On power state without user intervention. In one embodiment, the system of the present invention allows applications to periodically save their operational states. By saving their operational states, applications are able to guard against power failures and crashes. If a power failure or crash occurs, the system consults restart policies and, if appropriate, automatically re-starts applications to their most recently saved operational states once power is re-stored.

Abstract: Method of diagnosing arterial chlamydial granuloma by detecting in a biological sample both a first marker associated with Chlamydia pneumoniae and a second marker associated with arterial granuloma. Therapeutic composition for treating arterial chlamydial granulomatous disease, including an anti-Chlamydia pneumoniae agent and a granuloma inhibitor.

Abstract: A hair band made of two differently colored pieces, including a band body and a decorative strip releasably combined with the band body. Thus, various decorative, differently colored strips may be stored to be combined separately with the band body one by one, thereby changing a color and a design of the whole hair band.

Abstract: An optical transmission system enables launching at least 17 dBm of optical power at 1550 nm wavelength into an e.g. 50 km long span of standard telecommunications single-mode optical fiber, without incurring unacceptable penalties from stimulated Brillouin scattering, damage to optical phase modulators from excessive drive power or thermal effects, or signal degradations caused by the SBS suppression. High frequency modulation of the laser drive current is combined with lower frequency modulation of the phase of the laser output light that is itself varied over a range of approximately 25 MHz. This two tone modulation raises the SBS threshold to greater than 17 dBm in the 1550 nm wavelength region when the laser has a line width less than 10 MHz, under cw operation. By thereby dividing the task of spectral partitioning between the laser and the phase modulator, the RF input power level to the phase modulator is manageable and the laser operates in a regime that does not cause clipping.