Abstract: Nucleosides and oligonucleosides functionalized to include carbamate functionality, and derivatives thereof. In certain embodiments, the compounds of the invention further include steroids, reporter molecules, reporter enzymes, lipophilic molecules, peptides or proteins attached to the nucleosides through the carbamate group.

Abstract: A protection structure (30; 30′; 30″) for safely conducting charge from electrostatic discharge (ESD) at a terminal (IN) is disclosed. The protection structure (30; 30′; 30″) includes a pair of drain-extended metal-oxide-semiconductor (MOS) transistors (32, 34). In a pump transistors (32), the gate electrode (45) overlaps a portion of a well (42) in which the drain (44) is disposed, to provide a significant gate-to-drain capacitance. The drains of the transistors (32, 34) are connected together and to the terminal (IN), while the gates of the transistors (32, 34) are connected together. The source of one transistor (32) is connected to a guard ring (50), of the same conductivity type as the substrate (40) within which the channel region of the other transistors (34) is disposed.

Abstract: The present invention describes an apparatus comprising a mask; a pellicle spacer, the pellicle spacer attached to the mask; and an electrostatic pellicle system, the electrostatic pellicle system attached to the pellicle spacer. The present invention further describes a method of keeping contaminants away from a vicinity of a mask during exposure, the contaminants including an uncharged or neutral particle, a positively-charged particle, or a negatively-charged particle, comprising: inducing a positive or negative charge on the uncharged or neutral particle; attracting the positively-charged particle with a negatively-charged electric field; and attracting the negatively-charged particle with a positively-charged electric field.

Abstract: A method and devices for individually controlling the signal strength of single or multiple optical channels. A controller module monitors the signal strength of channels and amplifies those that need amplifying while attenuating those that are too strong using the same Erbium doped fiber amplifier. A controllable compensation module receives at least one channel and, when required, can either amplify or attenuate the signal strength of the channel(s). The module can be constructed out of a single fiber with an associated pump laser. If the laser provides insufficient pumping power, the fiber acts as an attenuator. If the laser provides a higher level of pump power, the fiber acts as an amplifier.

Abstract: A shift assembly for a two-speed transfer case utilizes a single actuator to drive both the speed range selection mechanism and a modulating friction clutch pack which selectively transfers drive torque from a primary output to a secondary output. The shift assembly includes an actuator which rotates a shift rail and cam having an intermediate helical track and a dwell region at each end. A lost motion assembly operating in conjunction with the helical cam selectively engages and disengages the clutch when the cam follower is in one of the two dwell regions. Thus, the shift assembly provides sequential operation from full clutch engagement in a first speed range, clutch disengagement in the first speed range, de-selection of the first speed range, selection, and de-selection of neutral, selection of a second speed range and, up to full engagement of the clutch in the second speed range.

Abstract: An apparatus, program product and method support the automated conversion of a table formatted in a CALS-compatible format to an HTML-compatible format, e.g., for use by presentation of the table by a screen reader or other application requiring knowledge of what headers apply to a given cell in a table. A table may be converted from a CALS-compatible format to an HTML-compatible format by assigning an identifier to each header cell in the table, in particular by embedding the identifier in an HTML identifier attribute for such header cell. Then, for each non-header cell in the table, any overlapping header cells therefor may be detected, and the identifier for any detected overlapping header cell may be embedded in an HTML headers attribute for such non-header cell.

Abstract: A variable coupling factor directional coupler having a variable aperture positioned between a transmission line section and a coupling conductor connected at either end to a center conductor of a pair of connectors. The coupling factor of an RF signal in the transmission line section to the coupling conductor may be adjusted by linear movement of a gap plate to open or close the aperture. Alternatively, the coupling conductor may be located within a slotted tube. As the slotted tube is rotated, the slotted portion of the tube opens or closes the aperture. The position of the inner conductor of the coupling conductor with respect to a grounded sidewall can be adjusted to change the coupled line impedance in order to optimize the coupler directivity.

Abstract: A vehicle seat frame assembly that includes inboard and outboard generally vertical side members that define outer surfaces. The assembly also has a separate first spacer bracket attached to the outboard side member and has a first contact surface spaced apart from the outer surface of the outboard side member. A separate second spacer bracket is attached to the inboard side member and has a first contact surface spaced apart from the outer surface of the inboard side member. A vehicle seat assembly that includes a center console frame member and a vehicle seat. The seat has a seat frame with a pair of vertical side members and a first and second spacer bracket attached to each of the vertical side members. The first spacer bracket is positioned on an inboard side of the seat frame, with the inboard spacer bracket extending towards the center console frame member.

Abstract: A synchronizer for motor vehicle driveline components such as transmissions and transfer cases includes a pair of ball ramp mechanisms which amplify synchronizing force and apply such force to one of a pair of friction clutch packs which achieves synchronization of diversely rotating elements. The synchronizer exhibits relatively low operating force. Each ball ramp mechanism includes a pair of ball ramp members having rotational travel limits which also limit their axial separation and an intermediate compression spring assembly. The spring assembly and the travel limits of the ball ramp members limit the force generated by the ball ramp mechanisms and applied to the friction clutch packs to prevent abrupt and uncontrolled actuation of the friction clutch packs and corresponding abrupt synchronization of the rotating elements.

Abstract: A substrate handler is provided comprising a carriage positionable along a first axis of motion, a first substrate gripper coupled to the carriage and positionable relative to the carriage along a second axis of motion oriented substantially perpendicular to the first axis of motion, and a second substrate gripper coupled to the carriage and positionable relative to the carriage along a third axis of motion oriented substantially parallel to the second axis of motion, wherein the second gripper is independently movable relative to the first gripper.

Abstract: The present invention involves reduction of exhaust emissions through the use of a catalytic converter which has at least one sensor disposed between two or more beds of solid catalysts, or mid-bed, and which does not include an external heat shield.

Abstract: Conventional spray-drying methods are improved by incorporation of a pressure nozzle and a diffuser plate to improve the flow of drying gas and a drying chamber extension to increase drying time, such improvements leading to the formation of homogeneous solid dispersions of drugs in concentration-enhancing polymers.

Abstract: The invention is basically a device that injects colors into the plastic at the nozzle end of the injection screw. To place the invention on an injection screw, one drills a small opening in the injector barrel just before the injection nozzle. One then attaches a check valve to this opening. To the check valve, a color tube, a flow control valve, and a color pump are attached. Attached to the color pump are the color hopper with liquid color pigment and the high-pressure air supply line. The high-pressure air runs the color pump and pumps the color pigment under pressure into the flow control valve, the color line, the check valve and the barrel. For each color that an individual wishes to add to the plastic, one uses a separate opening, check valve, tube, flow control valve, and color hopper.

Abstract: A system and method for configuring coils in a coil array are provided. The system includes a coil arrangement for a medical imaging system. The coil arrangement includes a plurality of coil elements for a medical imaging system and a plurality of twisted portions in combination with at least one of the plurality of coil elements.

Abstract: Granules bonded to a sandal sole provide a high traction surface, even when wet. The granules are bonded to an upper surface of the sandal sole. The granules can be embedded in the sole or bonded to the sole with adhesive. The granules can be made of crushed rock or other hard materials. The granules can be present in selected weight-bearing areas of the sandal, such as the area supporting the foot ball, toes or heel. The granules may be present only in an area under the foot ball. The present sandal sole prevents the foot from slipping against the sandal sole, and thereby prevents damage to the sandal and prevents injury from falling.

Abstract: A method of determining a type of touch plane operator input device comprises sensing the impedance across first and second terminals of a touch plane operator input device to distinguish the touch plane operator input device as being one of at least two different types of touch plane operator input devices. A method of processing an input from a touch plane operator input device comprises determining a first location of a first touch on the touch plane operator input device; determining a second location of a second touch on the touch plane operator input device; comparing the first and second locations to obtain an indication of an amount of difference between the first and second locations; and determining whether the indication of the amount of difference exceeds a predetermined amount. These steps are performed by discrete logic circuitry that provides an event notification to a microprocessor when the indication of the amount of difference exceeds the predetermined amount.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for testing and diagnosing a cable modem termination system, using a hand-held computing device. The hand-held computing device establishes a connection with the cable modem termination system through a wireless infrared and radio frequency connection, a serial, or a local area network connection. After the connection is established, a set of commands residing in the hand-held device are transmitted to configure the cable modem termination system. The cable modem termination system sends back a response that is displayed on a command screen of the hand-held device to identify status and error messages. A cable modem termination system operator can send a set of configuration instructions to the cable modem termination system by utilizing stored sets of configuration instructions. Using the hand-held device allows easy accessibility in remote locations with limited space for diagnostics and equipment.

Abstract: An ultrasonically excitable tool or probe is provided with a central bore, and a coupling for attachment to an ultrasonic transducer also provided with a central bore. Fluid may be injected along the communicating bores for filling a bowl or concavity on a distal end of the tool. Upon energization of the transducer, fluid in the concavity serves as a conventional ultrasonic cleaning bath for depending parts which the tool may be raised to accommodate in the concavity. This cleaning may be achieved in a confined space where the presence of the transducer is impossible or impermissible, which is further facilitated by the existence of an extended handle or shaft portion, containing the bore, on the ultrasonic tool. A particular shape of the concavity is found to have unexpected utility in creating and focussing an atomized spray.

Abstract: Techniques are described for providing information about a current state that is represented with multiple attributes. In some situations, the providing includes a first computer receiving indications of multiple characterization modules, each characterization module executing on a computer to model an aspect of a current state related to that computer; receiving an indication of one of the multiple attributes of the represented current state; determining multiple of the characterization modules whose modeled aspects are related to the indicated one attribute; and gathering information about the modeled aspects related to the indicated one attribute from the determined characterization modules so that a value for the indicated one attribute can be generated based on the gathered information.

Abstract: In a computing device that receives handwritten data, a method and system that maintains an association between alternates for a given ink word, regardless of the handwritten or text state of the word, and regardless of the position of the word as it may be edited in a document. Handwritten data is maintained in an ink word data structure, and once the word is recognized and an alternate is selected for it, the first character of the word remains as an ink word (in a text buffer) pointing to the data structure, with a flag set in the data structure indicating that the word is now recognized as text. In this state, the first character is displayed to the user as a recognized text letter instead of as the handwritten word. The other characters that make up the recognized word are inserted as text into the text buffer. Any alternates returned by the recognizer are thus stored with the ink word data structure displayed as this first character of a recognized word, which also maintains the ink data, e.g.