Abstract: A method for repairing defects in a substrate including the steps of placing a consumable filler slug in contact with the substrate in the vicinity of the defect; placing at least one electrically conductive cover sheet in contact with a portion of the consumable filler slug; bringing a first electrode and a second electrode in contact with the at least one cover sheet and applying a force; and transmitting electrical current between the electrodes, thereby resistively heating the at least one cover sheet and conductively heating the consumable slug and a portion of the substrate resulting in coalescence in a substantially liquid pool that fills the defect. The pool is then cooled to solidification under pressure. Alternative embodiments eliminate the need for the conductive cover sheet(s) by utilizing electrodes having increased electrical and thermal resistance. The consumable slug may be formed as a single unit or multiple sections, and may incorporate sacrificial retainers.

Abstract: The invention provides a distributed application server comprising a cluster of two or more nodes in a peer configuration. The two or more nodes are associated with at least one message stream comprising a plurality of messages propagated through the associated nodes. The invention also provides a method of implementing a distributed application server comprising the steps of arranging a cluster of two or more nodes in a peer configuration and associating the nodes with at least one message stream.

Abstract: Transmission of messages composed on one or more input devices to a single or multiple recipients by means of one or plural communication modes is facilitated. Such communication modes may include conventional or wireless telephone, facsimile transmission, pager, e-mail, postal mail or courier. Thus, a message may be directed to a single recipient via multiple modes, such as e-mail and fax, in order to ensure the earliest possible receipt of the message; or may be directed to multiple recipients by a single mode or by different modes. In the case of multiple-mode delivery, “escalation” rules may specify conditions under which different delivery modes may be sequentially employed. Automatic follow-up to determine whether a message has been received, as well as automatic sender notification upon confirmation of receipt, may be employed. The system is capable of sending messages having embedded questions, and facilitating multi-question surveys.

Abstract: An interconnect system for the supply chain management of network services, preferably virtual private network services, provides a networking architecture and interface usable in delivering substantially measurable virtual private network services involving multiple carriers.

Abstract: Novel sequence tagged sites (STSs), probes and primers useful, e.g., for detecting the presence or absence of an STS in a sample, and methods of using these STSs, probes and primers, e.g., in methods of detecting alterations in the Y chromosome are disclosed. These compositions are also useful in methods of diagnosing or aiding in the diagnosis and/or cause of reduced sperm count and in methods of predicting or aiding in the prediction of the likelihood of success of infertility treatments.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention, therefore, provide improved systems and methods for tracking targets in a simulation environment. Merely by way of example, an exemplary embodiment provides a reflected laser target tracking system that tracks a target with a video camera and associated computational logic. In certain embodiments, a closed loop algorithm may be used to predict future positions of targets based on formulas derived from prior tracking points. Hence, the target's next position may be predicted. In some cases, targets may be filtered and/or sorted based on predicted positions. In certain embodiments, equations (including without limitation, first order equations and second order equations) may be derived from one or more video frames. Such equations may also be applied to one or more successive frames of video received and/or produced by the system.

Abstract: Transmission of messages composed on one or more input devices to a single or multiple recipients by means of one or plural communication modes is facilitated. Such communication modes may include conventional or wireless telephone, facsimile transmission, pager, e-mail, postal mail or courier. Thus, a message may be directed to a single recipient via multiple modes, such as e-mail and fax, in order to ensure the earliest possible receipt of the message; or may be directed to multiple recipients by a single mode or by different modes. In the case of multiple-mode delivery, “escalation” rules may specify conditions under which different delivery modes may be sequentially employed. Automatic follow-up to determine whether a message has been received, as well as automatic sender notification upon confirmation of receipt, may be employed. The system is capable of sending messages having embedded questions, and facilitating multi-question surveys.

Abstract: Light emitters are made of one or more cladded flat optical fibers having opposite flat sides and disruptions along at least a portion of the length of the fibers to cause light entering at least one end to be emitted from at least one side. The ends of the flat optical fibers may have substantially the same thickness as a light source and a width substantially equal to or substantially greater than the width of the light source for ease of optically coupling one or more such light sources to the flat optical fiber ends.

Abstract: A two way wireless hand held PDA device that allows remote mobile creation of messages and sending of those messages to recipients via different delivery modes. The recipients can be formed into groups by different criteria, the messages can be created or imported and edited from the remote device, and the messages can be delivered via more than one mode. Status of messages sent and in process is maintained as is account information related to the message and the user. Also messages can be formatted, and can be conditionally sent and receivers can perform automatic actions when specific messages are received. (And actions can be carried out in remote systems based on the responses to messages sent).

Abstract: Illuminators include transparent light emitting members having a pattern of rounded shallow notches or grooves in one or more surfaces of the members for causing internally reflected light to be emitted from the members. The notches or grooves may be cut using a circular cutting tool. The relative speed of the cutting tool and feed rate of the cutting tool relative to the members may be controlled to produce a roughened surface on the notches or grooves.

Abstract: Transmission of messages composed on one or more input devices to a single or multiple recipients by means of one or plural communication modes is facilitated. Such communication modes may include conventional or wireless telephone, facsimile transmission, pager, e-mail, postal mail or courier. An application program interface (API) mediates between remote applications requesting messaging functions and a message server that actually implements these functions. The API is capable of processing high-volume requests for message routing, status information, and various other functions on an automated basis, enabling businesses to make routine use of these functions.

Abstract: Referral marketing allows retail customers to circulate a message recommending a product to a designated set of contacts. The recommendation may be posted with the order or subsequently, after the individual has received the product. The invention may include response-tracking capability that records whether any of the individuals who received recommendations purchase the product and facilitates compensation of the individual by the seller for making the sale.

Abstract: Transmission of messages composed on one or more input devices to a single or multiple recipients by means of one or plural communication modes is facilitated. Such communication modes may include conventional or wireless telephone, facsimile transmission, pager, e-mail, postal mail or courier. An application program interface (API) mediates between remote applications requesting messaging functions and a message server that actually implements these functions. The API is capable of processing high-volume requests for message routing, status information, and various other functions on an automated basis, enabling businesses to make routine use of these functions.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for preparing tertiary amine compounds from primary amines and nitrites in the presence of hydrogen gas and a metal catalyst, or metal-containing catalyst composition, at a temperature from about 50° C. to about 200° C. and at a pressure from about 100 psig to 1500 psig. The primary amines and the nitriles used in the process may be diamines and/or dinitriles, or may be combinations of primary amines and/or nitrites. Also disclosed are novel tertiary amine compounds made by the described method.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for preparing tertiary amine compounds from primary amines and nitrites in the presence of hydrogen gas and a metal catalyst, or metal-containing catalyst composition, at a temperature from about 50° C. to about 200° C. and at a pressure from about 100 psig to 1500 psig. The primary amines and the nitrites used in the process may be diamines and/or dinitriles, or may be combinations of primary amines and/or nitrites. Also disclosed are novel tertiary amine compounds made by the described method.

Abstract: A two way wireless hand held PDA device that allows remote mobile creation of messages and sending of those messages to recipients via different delivery modes. The recipients can be formed into groups by different criteria, the messages can be created or imported and edited from the remote device, and the messages can be delivered via more than one mode. Status of messages sent and in process is maintained as is account information related to the message and the user. Also messages can be formatted, and can be conditionally sent and receivers can perform automatic actions when specific messages are received. (And actions can be carried out in remote systems based on the responses to messages sent).

Abstract: A flexible, programmable messaging system and method for associating specific happenings with particular services and users associated with those services is disclosed. The contact means for the users are held in a single database with retrievable historical information regarding the user and/or the service. Users and administrators are defined where the user may exercise a group of predetermine privileges. Users may subscribe and un-subscribe to one or more services. The administrator may exercise more privileges or all the privileges, and the additional privileges will include creating messages related to specific happenings, editing of the billing for the service, editing subscription forms, managing the members of a service and tracking the delivery of message. The presentation pages and the messaging format are arranged using templates with predetermined information and formats that may be programmable. The system is arranged in a client/server arrangement where standard servers can be used.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of an amorphous alumino-silicate derivative which involves reacting a solid corresponding starting material with MOH where M is alkali metal or ammonium cation. The solid corresponding starting material may be selected from montmorillonite, kaolin, natural zeolite (e.g., clinoliptolite/heulandite) as well as illite, palygorskite and saponite and additional reactant MX wherein X is halide may be utilized in conjunction with MOH. The invention also includes alumino-silicate derivatives of the general formula MpAlqSi2Or(OH)sXt.uH2O as well as alumino-silicate derivatives of the general formula MpAlqSi2Or(OH)s.uH2O.

Abstract: The formation of new materials in the form of alumino-silicate derivatives from 2:1 layer clay materials which are obtained by the chemical modification of 2:1 layer clay minerals by reaction with a salt having the formula MX wherein M is ammonium ion or alkali metal cation and X is a halide. The new materials have the following characteristics: (a) an amorphous x-ray diffraction signal manifest as a broad hump using x-ray powder diffraction between 22° and 32° 2&thgr; using CuK&agr; radiation; and (b) the presence of primarily tetrahedrally coordinated aluminum.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for selective dimerization of 2-pentenenitrile or mixtures of 2- and 3-pentenenitrile in the presence of a strong base to form 1,3-dicyano-2-ethyl-3-hexene.