Abstract: Hardenable and hardened dental compositions that include radiation-to-heat converters, and articles including such hardenable and hardened compositions, are provided. Upon irradiating, the hardened compositions increase in temperature, which can be useful for reducing the bond strengths of orthodontic appliances adhered to tooth structures with the hardened compositions.

Abstract: Methods for sequencing datagram transmissions are disclosed, including, receiving an unqueued segment to be enqueued in a queue. The queue comprises at least one segment. Determining a priority level and a number of attempted transmissions for the unqueued segment (100). If the unqueued segment is enqueued in front of a segment belonging to a datagram in the queue, and at least one segment belonging to the datagram has been transmitted before all the segments belonging to the datagram have been transmitted, at least one of the following functions is performed: discarding any remaining segments belonging to the datagram in the queue, transmitting any remaining segments belonging to the datagram in the queue, and re-enqueuing segments belonging to the datagram at the same location in the queue as the partially transmitted datagram, but with a different identifier.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a support surface for a human. The support surface has a lower portion and a back portion, with an aperture formed therein. A weight measurement device is coupled with the support surface, such that when a human is supported by the support surface the human's perineum is positioned over the aperture and the human's weight can be measured by the weight measurement device.

Abstract: An aircraft window shade includes protective transparent window panels, a shade driven by an electric motor, an integral control panel, and support for remote operation. The shade uses dual sprocket drive for positive shade positioning, low wear, and low parts count. The moving shade element remains substantially flat, curving slightly during some phases of positioning. The apparatus replaces a conventional interior window panel and a manual shade with slight change in overall mechanism thickness and weight. Control electronics in the shade can accept a command from a cabin attendant's console to override the local setting and move the shade to a required position, such as fully open for takeoff. The shade supports use of two or more independent shades, each of which can be made of dimming (transparent), diffusing (translucent), or light blocking (opaque) material. The shade is compatible with electrochromic transmittance control technology.

Abstract: An integral assembly that may improve control over thermal and mechanical behaviors of assembly structures during various transient operation conditions is disclosed. The integral assembly comprises a continuous ring disposed coaxial with, and orthogonal to a central axis, the continuous ring comprising a plurality of surfaces, the plurality of surfaces having a continuous outer surface and a continuous inner surface; the plurality of surfaces being characterized by a continuous cross section having a first cross sectional dimension longitudinally disposed parallel to the central axis; the plurality of surfaces comprising a bell mouth surface in physical communication with a compressor shroud surface; the compressor shroud surface being in physical communication with a diffuser surface; and the diffuser surface being in physical communication with the bell mouth surface. The integral assembly comprising a compressor shroud is also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides multi-layer adhesives and methods that are useful for bonding orthodontic appliances to a tooth structure. The multi-layer adhesives can be precoated on an orthodontic appliance, or alternatively, they can be provided on an adhesive delivery system for transfer to an orthodontic appliance. The multi-layer adhesives and methods preferably provide a useful balance of properties for bonding orthodontic appliances to the tooth structure.

Abstract: A door latch mechanism mounted in a door frame cooperates with a door bolt separating the cockpit compartment on an aircraft from the passenger compartment. The mechanism prevents a hijacker from entering the cockpit compartment and allows the door to open rapidly when a catastrophic decompression event occurs in the airplane.

Abstract: An outbound message (200) identifies a slot type associated with each timeslot in a scheduling period. In one embodiment, the outbound message further identifies at least an address of a first subscriber group assigned to transmit in a first timeslot (206) if the slot type of the first timeslot is of a first type and an address of a second subscriber group assigned to transmit in a second timeslot (208) if the slot type of the second timeslot is of a second type, wherein the first type and the second type could be the same or different. In a second embodiment, the outbound message further identifies at least a group address associated with a plurality of subscriber units assigned to transmit in a first timeslot if the slot type of the first timeslot is of a first type.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a support surface having a seat portion and a back portion, wherein the seat portion and the back portion form a non-planar surface. The seat portion has an aperture opening toward the back portion so that when a human is supported on the support surface the human's anus is positioned over the aperture. A method includes supporting the human on the support surface and accessing the human through the aperture in the support surface.

Abstract: A modulator (102) modulates a plurality of symbols to create a modulated signal. A transmitter is coupled to the modulator (102). The transmitter transmits the modulated signal if the modulated signal is above a threshold. A minima enlarger (104) is coupled to the modulator (102). The minima enlarger (104) computes an adjustment to the plurality of symbols if the modulated signal is below the threshold. A summer (106) is coupled to the modulator (102) and the minima enlarger (104). The summer (106) adds the adjustment to the plurality of symbols if the modulated signal is below the threshold.

Abstract: An outbound message (200) identifies a slot type associated with each timeslot in a scheduling period. In one embodiment, the outbound message further identifies at least an address of a first subscriber group assigned to transmit in a first timeslot (206) if the slot type of the first timeslot is of a first type and an address of a second subscriber group assigned to transmit in a second timeslot (208) if the slot type of the second timeslot is of a second type, wherein the first type and the second type could be the same or different. In a second embodiment, the outbound message further identifies at least a group address associated with a plurality of subscriber units assigned to transmit in a first timeslot if the slot type of the first timeslot is of a first type.

Abstract: A door latch mechanism mounted in a door frame cooperates with a door bolt separating the cockpit compartment on an aircraft from the passenger compartment. The mechanism prevents a hijacker from entering the cockpit compartment and allows the door to open rapidly when a catastrophic decompression event occurs in the airplane.

Abstract: A modulator (102) modulates a plurality of symbols to create a modulated signal. A transmitter is coupled to the modulator (102). The transmitter transmits the modulated signal if the modulated signal is above a threshold. A minima enlarger (104) is coupled to the modulator (102). The minima enlarger (104) computes an adjustment to the plurality of symbols if the modulated signal is below the threshold. A summer (106) is coupled to the modulator (102) and the minima enlarger (104). The summer (106) adds the adjustment to the plurality of symbols if the modulated signal is below the threshold.

Abstract: Methods for sequencing datagram transmissions are disclosed, including, receiving an unqueued segment to be enqueued in a queue. The queue comprises at least one segment. Determining a priority level and a number of attempted transmissions for the unqueued segment (100). If the unqueued segment is enqueued in front of a segment belonging to a datagram in the queue, and at least one segment belonging to the datagram has been transmitted before all the segments belonging to the datagram have been transmitted, at least one of the following functions is performed: discarding any remaining segments belonging to the datagram in the queue, transmitting any remaining segments belonging to the datagram in the queue, and re-enqueuing segments belonging to the datagram at the same location in the queue as the partially transmitted datagram, but with a different identifier.

Abstract: In a polymerization reaction, an upset is anticipated and inhibited by monitoring at least one reaction condition and comparing it to the desired value or normal range for the condition as projected by a computer model for the variable or variables of the process. In a preferred variation, the process not only continuously adjusts the set point or range for an upset-significant variable such as temperature, but also utilizes the rate of change of such a variable as a harbinger of an upset.

Abstract: An insert for use in a drain basin, comprising an outer wall defining a periphery of the insert and having a top edge and a bottom edge. A perforated bottom surface extends across the lower periphery of the insert. A filter, resting on the perforated bottom surface, has a peripheral edge enclosing a central portion. A flange extends inwardly from the top edge of the outer wall past the peripheral edge of the filter. The flange directs drainage water past the periphery of the filter and to its more central portion, whereupon impurities within the drainage water are extracted and filtered water exits through the perforated bottom surface into the drain basin. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the inward-extending flanges are angled downward toward the filter. In a second embodiment, the filter, bottom surface and inward-extending flanges are arranged in a cartridge, which is removably placed inside the periphery of the outer wall.

Abstract: In a microcontroller-based system that controls the operation of equipment such as lights and wipers in an automobile, overcurrent is detected by comparing the total current through the device with a stored level. If the detected current is excessive the devices are independently activated and the current through each device is compared with stored current level for the device. A device having an overcurrent condition is inactivated and the remaining devices are activated.