Abstract: A manual control mechanism for a heating unit of a domestic cooker (1) having a front face is in the form of a twist grip (11, 12, 13) operable by rotation about a substantially horizontal axis parallel to the front face of the cooker. A plurality of such control mechanisms are provided in a rail (7) mounted on the front of the cooker.

Abstract: Provided are methods, data processing systems, recovery components and computer programs for recovering from storage failures affecting data repositories. At least a part of the recovery processing is performed while the data repositories are able to receive new data and to allow retrieval of such new data. Although new data items may be received into the repository and retrieved therefrom during recovery processing, updates to the data repository which were performed before the failure and which are then restored to the repository by the recovery processing are restored within a recovery unit of work and are inaccessible to processes other than the recovery process until successful completion of the recovery unit of work. The recovery processing ensures that the recovered repository is consistent with the state of the repository at the time of the failure, but is available for addition and retrieval of new data items before completion of the recovery processing.

Abstract: An electrically powered tool comprises a unitary chassis and a novel strain relief system incorporating a molded housing having a bore therein for securing power wiring to said chassis and preventing stress thereto.

Abstract: An articulating hemiarthroplasty prosthesis (10) for use in arthroplasty is provided. The prosthesis includes a stem (12) for implantation at least partially within the medullary canal (14) of a long bone (16) and a collar (20). The collar (20) is operably associated with the stem (12) and extends outwardly therefrom. At least a portion of the collar (20) includes a resorbable material. The prosthesis includes a head (30) and a cup (46) for engagement with the head (30).

Abstract: An electrically powered tool comprises a unitary chassis and a novel strain relief system incorporating a molded housing having a bore therein for securing power wiring to said chassis and preventing stress thereto.

Abstract: A mounting system for securing a motor to a tool chassis comprises a mounting recess within said tool chassis having a plurality of engagement tabs extending into said mounting recess and a motor casing having a plurality of grooves therein that are shaped to be engaged by the plurality of engagement tabs.

Abstract: An alphanumeric display includes a substrate that has top and bottom surfaces, a plurality of electrical contacts on the top surface, a plurality of light-emitting electronic devices mounted on the top surface, and a plurality of electrical pads on the bottom surface. The electrical contacts are connected to at least one light-emitting electronic device, and each of the light-emitting electronic devices is electrically connected with corresponding ones of the electrical contacts. The electrical pads are electrically connected to corresponding ones of the electrical contacts for communicating to the light-emitting electronic devices external sources of electrical power and control signals. The electrical pads on the bottom surface are arranged in a pattern to facilitate connections to the device using a conductive adhesive.

Abstract: A rotatable building structure contains a vertical central core for supporting suspended floor units surrounding the core. An annular platform extends from the core at corresponding floor units for providing accessibility to and from the central core. The floor units contain a drive mechanism for rotational displacement. A wind tool deployable from the floor unit provides alternative wind power assist for rotating the floor units.

Abstract: An optical assembly is disclosed. The optical assembly includes a laser having a front facet and a rear facet a thin film filter (TFF) to receive a first optical signal from the front facet of the laser and to reflect a component of the first optical signal back to the laser a back facet monitor (BFM) to receive a second optical signal and the reflected component from the rear facet of the laser and a feedback circuit to monitor the quantity of reflected component.

Abstract: A method and a facility for the protection of a crowd from terrorists by screening each individual in search of concealed prohibited articles possibly carried by one of the individuals in the crowd. Each individual is monitored by sensors controlled by a monitoring unit while passing in single line queue over a fenced walkway and through a confinement structure containing a one-way passage control device. When a prohibited object is detected, response is provided and the passage control device is locked to detain the suspect individual in the confinement structure interior. The confinement structure is configured to deflect the blast created by an explosion initiated therein, and to prevent harm to the individuals residing on the fenced walkway.

Abstract: A method and a system for monitoring access of a person from an exterior to an interior of a partition via a passage having an openable closed opening, using a detection device and supervision of an operator. A monitoring unit is coupled to both the detection device on the exterior, for handling in manual self-scanning procedure, and an input/output unit on the interior, for use by the operator. The monitored person handles the detection device, which transmits at least a first type handling signal, and at least a second type recognition signal to the monitoring unit. The operator rates the monitored person and transmits a third type rating signal to the monitoring unit, indicating crossing permission or crossing denial. The monitoring unit then derives an access signal from the three types of signals received from at least two sensors to allow or to deny access via the passage.

Abstract: Provided is a method for scheduling activities. The method includes receiving an activity having a designated priority, a life span, a preferred implementation time, and a scheduling time budget. The schedule is searched to determine the availability of the preferred implementation time and amount of available execution time. The activity is inserted in the schedule if the preferred implementation time if the time is available and life span is less than or equal to available execution time. If the implementation time is unavailable or the life span is greater than the available execution time, the schedule is modified. Modification of the schedule preserves scheduled activities with equal or higher priority. The method will exit when the activity is scheduled or the elapsed scheduling time exceeds the scheduling time budget.

Abstract: An agricultural spreading device comprises a hopper having an inclined surface leading into a bottom surface formed with a plurality of elongated slots. A dispensing device is arranged in the hopper adjacent to the bottom surface and has a plurality of rotatable arms for engaging a spreadable material. A baffle is rotatably mounted in the hopper. The baffle is rotatable between a first position where a bottom edge of the baffle engages the inclined surface and a second position where a gap is created between the inclined surface and the bottom edge. The baffle limits advancement of the spreadable material toward the elongated slots. A slideable dispensing plate is mounted to the hopper adjacent to the bottom surface and has a plurality of dispensing slots corresponding to the elongated slots. A plate actuating mechanism is attached to the dispensing plate for positioning the dispensing slots relative to the elongated slots.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method, apparatus, computer program and computer program product for adjusting the frequency at which data is backed up. This involves receiving a target recovery time. A current estimated recovery time is then determined and the current and target times are compared. If it is determined that the current estimated recovery time has reached a predetermined threshold relative to the received target recovery time a new backup should be initiated.

Abstract: A method and a system for monitoring access of a person from an exterior to an interior of a partition via a passage having an openable closed opening, using a detection device and supervision of an operator. A monitoring unit is coupled to both the detection device on the exterior, for handling in manual self-scanning procedure, and an input/output unit on the interior, for use by the operator. The monitored person handles the detection device, which transmits at least a first type handling signal, and at least a second type recognition signal to the monitoring unit. The operator rates the monitored person and transmits a third type rating signal to the monitoring unit, indicating crossing permission or crossing denial. The monitoring unit then derives an access signal from the three types of signals received from at least two sensors, to allow or to deny access via the passage.

Abstract: Microphthalmia (Mi) while present in melanocytes, a cells and osteoclast, is not normally present in other cells. We have found that Mi is present in the nucleus of melanoma cells. Melanoma can be diagnosed by contacting a malignant cell with a probe for Mi. If the probe identifies Mi in the nucleus of the cell, the cell is a melanoma.

Abstract: Power supply current, sufficient to power a remote network device, is transmitted concurrently with a network data signal over a transmission line. A power-sourcing network device that can include a coupling circuit provides power and data to the remote network device. The remote network device (which can be a wireless access point) can separate the power signal from the data signal and use the power supply current to further process or retransmit the data signal. The power signal may be a low frequency relative to the frequency of the data signal, or it may be DC.

Abstract: Power supply current, sufficient to power a remote network device, is transmitted concurrently with a network data signal over a transmission line. A power-sourcing network device that can include a coupling circuit provides power and data to the remote network device. The coupling circuit can also be included in a stand-alone device. The remote network device (which can be a wireless access point) can separate the power signal from the data signal and use the power supply current to further process or retransmit the data signal. The power signal may be a low frequency relative to the frequency of the data signal, or it may be DC.

Abstract: A system, and a corresponding method, provides time synchronized playback and control of dissimilar data in a simulation architecture. The system includes a master site including a controller, and agents, implemented by the controller, where the controller directs the agents to control simulation data logging and playback; simulation sites, including: one or more simulation computers, where simulation events occur, a computer, where the agents control the simulation site to record the simulation data, and a local log that stores the simulation data as events, where the agents control the test computer to replay the events; a time reference system including a master site time stamp, local time stamp pair for each of the simulation sites, each of the local time stamps related to a master time stamp, and one or more time normalization factors. The time normalization factors relate times recorded for each of the events to an earliest recorded event and to a time of initiation of a replay command.

Abstract: A method for evaluation the fitness for duty of an employee is disclosed. The method for evaluating the fitness for duty of an employee, utilizing as parties an employer, a fitness for duty evaluation facilitator, an employer, and an Independent Examiner, comprising the steps of the fitness for duty evaluator facilitator: Having separate ownership from the employer and the employee assistance professional; utilizing the Independent Examiner to perform the fitness for duty evaluation; providing advanced training to the Independent Examiner; providing fitness for duty evaluation training to employee assistance professionals; providing fitness for duty evaluation training to the employer; providing fitness for duty evaluation education to the employee; providing quality assurance services; and utilizing a licensed professional to oversee the fitness for duty evaluator.