Abstract: A friction stir system for processing at least a first workpiece includes a spindle actuator coupled to a rotary tool comprising a rotating member for contacting and processing the first workpiece. A detection system is provided for obtaining information related to a lateral alignment of the rotating member. The detection system comprises at least one sensor for measuring a force experienced by the rotary tool or a parameter related to the force experienced by the rotary tool during processing, wherein the sensor provides sensor signals. A signal processing system is coupled to receive and analyze the sensor signals and determine a lateral alignment of the rotating member relative to a selected lateral position, a selected path, or a direction to decrease a lateral distance relative to the selected lateral position or selected path.

Abstract: A friction stir system for processing at least a first workpiece includes a spindle actuator coupled to a rotary tool comprising a rotating member for contacting and processing the first workpiece. A detection system is provided for obtaining information related to a lateral alignment of the rotating member. The detection system comprises at least one sensor for measuring a force experienced by the rotary tool or a parameter related to the force experienced by the rotary tool during processing, wherein the sensor provides sensor signals. A signal processing system is coupled to receive and analyze the sensor signals and determine a lateral alignment of the rotating member relative to a selected lateral position, a selected path, or a direction to decrease a lateral distance relative to the selected lateral position or selected path.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and formulations for treating and preventing acute coronary syndromes. The methods of the instant invention provide safe and effective doses of an Apolipoprotein A-I Milano: phospholipid complex to reduce and stabilize atherosclerotic plaque. Pharmaceutical formulations of the Apo A-I Milano:phospholipid complexes are also provided.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and formulations for treating and preventing acute coronary syndromes. The methods of the instant invention provide safe and effective doses of an Apolipoprotein A-I Milano:phospholipid complex to reduce and stabilize atherosclerotic plaque. Pharmaceutical formulations of the Apo A-I Milano:phospholipid complexes are also provided.

Abstract: A projectile formed from dissimilar materials. The projectile includes a metallurgical interlayer that joins the dissimilar materials together. The metallurgical interlayer also matches the shock impedance of the two materials to prevent delamination during launch and during impact.

Abstract: A delay-locked loop, including a phase detector configured to receive two signals, one of the signals being delayed relative to the other of the signals, the phase detector having an UP output and a DOWN output. The delay-locked loop also includes a charge pump system operatively coupled with the phase detector, the charge pump system including (1) a charge pump configured to be responsive to assertion of actuating signals from the UP output and the DOWN output so as to control pumping of charge from the charge pump system, such pumped charge being usable to control a delay line carrying one of the two signals, so as to control relative delay occurring between the two signals; and (2) a feedback control loop configured to dynamically adjust at least one bias signal at the charge pump so as to minimize net charge pumped from the charge pump system during simultaneous assertion of actuating signals from the UP output and the DOWN output.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and formulations for treating and preventing acute coronary syndromes. The methods of the instant invention provide safe and effective doses of an Apolipoprotein A-I Milano: phospholipid complex to reduce and stabilize atherosclerotic plaque. Pharmaceutical formulations of the Apo A-I Milano:phospholipid complexes are also provided.

Abstract: A method for determining the quality of an examined weld joint comprising the steps of providing acoustical data from the examined weld joint, and performing a neural network operation on the acoustical data determine the quality of the examined weld joint produced by a friction weld process. The neural network may be trained by the steps of providing acoustical data and observable data from at least one test weld joint, and training the neural network based on the acoustical data and observable data to form a trained neural network so that the trained neural network is capable of determining the quality of a examined weld joint based on acoustical data from the examined weld joint. In addition, an apparatus having a housing, acoustical sensors mounted therein, and means for mounting the housing on a friction weld device so that the acoustical sensors do not contact the weld joint. The apparatus may sample the acoustical data necessary for the neural network to determine the quality of a weld joint.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods for treating and preventing inflammation and inflammation-associated diseases by co-administering to a patient in need thereof a dialkyl ether, substituted alkyl, substituted aryl-alkyl, substituted dialkyl thioether, substituted dialkyl ketone, substituted-alkyl, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt of said dialkyl ether, substituted alkyl, substituted alkyl-alkyl, substituted dialkyl thioether, substituted dialkyl ketone, or substituted-alkyl, and a statin, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt of said statin.

Abstract: A cooling assembly includes a base and at least one body having at least one opening, each opening including an inner surface. An insert is situated within each opening, each insert having an inner surface and an outer surface. The outer surface of each insert confronts a corresponding body inner surface to define a volume. At least one connection is provided between the volume and a source of fluid coolant for filling the volume with the fluid coolant. The insert includes at least one surface which moves to conform at least in part to the outer surface of a molded article whereby heat transfer occurs between the molded article and the fluid coolant across the insert.

Abstract: A molded parison handling apparatus for removing hollow plastic parisons used in the manufacture of oriented plastic bottles from an injection molding machine includes a base having an arm coupled to the injection molding machine. A carriage mounted on the arm moves in a first dimension into and out of the space between the molding elements of the molding machine. A frame cooling unit coupled to the carriage engages the body portion of a set of parisons as they are released from the molding machine. A first motor moves the cooling apparatus to any of three preselected positions along the first dimension located outside the molding machine. A transfer assembly includes three sets of grabbers mounted on a gantry for movement with respect to the base. One set of grabbers grabs the finish portion of the parisons from the cooling apparatus.

Abstract: A method is provided for the production of a pedestal assembly which includes a molded collar portion comprising the steps of providing a pedestal assembly having multiple elongated component members joined together at a joint and oriented at an angle to one another, one of said multiple component members comprising a vertically oriented first component supporting member and another of said multiple component members comprising at least one horizontally oriented second component base member, said pedestal assembly further including a precast collar having an aperture in an upper extent thereof through which said vertically oriented first component supporting member extends, the inner dimension and shape of said collar aperture being substantially identical to the outer dimension and cross-sectional configuration of the portion of said first component member extending through and positioned adjacent said precast collar, and a lower extent of said collar being positioned in encompassing relationship to the junc

Abstract: An improved table is disclosed which permits easy access to additional useable horizontal surface and which permits easy raising and lowering. The table, which in its preferred embodiment, is a hospital overbed table, is equipped with upper and lower horizontal tray surfaces. The surfaces are movable with respect to each other and may be positioned to expose the top surface alone or the upper and lower surfaces. The upper and lower surfaces may also be moved in unison to expose storage cavities in a base supporting the tray surfaces. A gas spring mechanism permits easy adjustment of the vertical positioning of the overbed table and provides a mechanism for securely locking the overbed table in place when in use.