Abstract: A polarity checking apparatus for multi-fiber connectors includes a body, a diverging lens attached to the body and a screen attached to the body, wherein the apparatus is configured to determine test and/or determine polarity of the multi-fiber connector. The screen may be translucent or may be opaque in part and rotatable for checking whether a signal is being transmitted on an individual optical fiber position of the multi-fiber connector. The invention is also directed to a method for checking the polarity of an optical assembly.

Abstract: An adjustable optical tap for adjusting input power, output power and drop power in a communications network includes an enclosure having a plurality of connector assemblies being configured for interconnecting input and output cables; a cover attachable to the enclosure, the cover including a plurality of drop cable ports; and a tunable splitter disposed in the enclosure in communication with the input cable and the drop cable ports, the tunable splitter being configured for adjustment to affect attenuation in a broad wavelength band.

Abstract: A container device having a paint receptacle allows a user to easily access paint with a brush while working on a ladder. The container device includes one or more fixed brackets for attachment to a desired ladder rung and a pivotable bracket to stabilize the container device on a lower ladder rung. The paint receptacle maintains the paint in a convenient manner during use and includes an interior wipe board for removing excess paint from a paint brush and a brush clamp for storing a paint brush when not in use. A lid and handle are also included for tightly sealing any remaining paint therein during transportation and storage. A fabric cover having a series of pockets can be placed on the lower portion of the container device for carrying various painting tools and accessories.

Abstract: An adjustable optical tap for adjusting input power, output power and drop power in a communications network includes an enclosure having a plurality of connector assemblies being configured for interconnecting input and output cables; a cover attachable to the enclosure, the cover including a plurality of drop cable ports; and a tunable splitter disposed in the enclosure in communication with the input cable and the drop cable ports, the tunable splitter being configured for adjustment to affect attenuation in a broad wavelength band.

Abstract: A polarity checking apparatus for multi-fiber connectors includes a body, a diverging lens attached to the body and a screen attached to the body, wherein the apparatus is configured to determine test and/or determine polarity of the multi-fiber connector. The screen may be translucent or may be opaque in part and rotatable for checking whether a signal is being transmitted on an individual optical fiber position of the multi-fiber connector. The invention is also directed to a method for checking the polarity of an optical assembly.

Abstract: A container device having a paint receptacle allows a user to easily access paint with a brush while working on a ladder. The container device includes a pair of fixed brackets for attachment to a desired ladder rung and a pivotable bracket to stabilize the container device on a lower ladder rung. The paint receptacle maintains the paint in a convenient manner during use and includes an interior wipe board for removing excess paint from a paint brush and a brush clamp for storing a paint brush when not in use. A lid and handle are also included for tightly sealing any remaining paint therein during transportation and storage. A fabric cover having a series of pockets can be placed on the lower portion of the container device for carrying various painting tools and accessories.

Abstract: A high performance coaxial connector used to terminate a coaxial cable and provide an electrical connection to a mating coaxial connector is disclosed. The coaxial connector is formed with few individual parts and may be configured to provide enhanced electrical performance greater than or equal to 4 GHz.

Abstract: A high performance coaxial connector used to terminate a coaxial cable and provide an electrical connection to a mating coaxial connector is disclosed. The coaxial connector is formed with few individual parts and may be configured to provide enhanced electrical performance greater than or equal to 4 GHz.

Abstract: Spinal implants and methods to repair annular defects in intervertebral discs and provide dynamic stability to the spine near a repaired disc are described. Some implants include head and tail portions. In some embodiments, the head portion is enlarged relative to the tail portion. Some head portions and tail portions are adapted to support adjacent vertebrae to resist intervertebral disc collapse. Head portions provide a spacer function to maintain separation between adjacent vertebrae. In some implants, a tail portion engages end plates of adjacent vertebrae to resist extrusion of the implant from the intervertebral space. The tail portion of some implants includes a tail flange (in some embodiments of similar diameter to the head portion) abutting extradiscal lips of adjacent vertebrae and resisting forces tending to push the implant deeper into the intervertebral space. Some embodiments are compliant, while some include bone-compaction holes to stabilize the implant in situ.

Abstract: Efficient buffer cache utilization frees a data buffer as soon as data buffer processing is completed, and without losing association of the freed data buffer and a descriptor buffer. Separate free buffer link lists identify the freed data buffer and any freed descriptor buffer. The data buffer is rapidly processed then freed generally before completion of processing of the descriptor buffer, freeing the processed associated data buffer before the associated descriptor buffer is freed. The association of the processed free data buffer and the descriptor buffer may be ended to enable the more frequent use of the large capacity data buffer for other update requests.

Abstract: The present application discloses a plurality of spinal implants and methods for repairing annular defects in intervertebral discs and for providing dynamic stability to the motion segment of the spine in the vicinity of the repaired disc. Each of the implants comprises a head portion and a tail portion. In the illustrated embodiments, the head portion of each implant is enlarged relative to the tail portion. Each of the head portions and tail portions is adapted to support adjacent vertebrae and resist collapse of the intervertebral disc. A tapered portion of each implant engages end plates of the adjacent vertebrae to resist forces tending to push the implant out of the intervertebral space. The tail portion of each implant includes a tail flange (which in some embodiments is of similar diameter to the head portion) that abuts extradiscal lips of the adjacent vertebrae and resists forces tending to push the implant deeper into the intervertebral space.

Abstract: A memory module electrical connector is comprised of an insulative housing and a plurality of electrical terminals. The terminals are stamped and formed from conductive material to include resilient contact portions for interconnection to the module, and compliant pin portions for interconnection to the printed circuit board. The compliant pin portions of the connector are laterally staggered, with some compliant pin portions being positioned adjacent to a slot in the housing for receiving the memory module, and alternate contacts are positioned distant from the slot, thereby staggering the compliant pin portions. The compliant pin sections include an upstanding, rigidifying section to rigidify the compliant pin portion during the insertion of the electrical connector and the plurality of compliant pin portions into the printed circuit board.

Abstract: A hybrid electrical connector includes both signal and power contacts in the same connector housing. The housing includes a plurality of axially extending passageways for receipt of the signal contacts and a plurality of axially extending cavities for receipt of the power contacts. The connector housing further includes a plurality of transversely extending slots extending through the connector housing intersecting with individual power contact cavities. Moreover, the housing includes a protrusion extending across the lower surface thereof. A Y-shaped terminal retaining member is insertable in the slots and is resiliently held in place in the slots. The power terminals include an opening therethrough forming a locking shoulder for receipt of the transversely extending locking member. In addition, the power terminals include notches for mating with the protrusion. The combination of the notches and the protrusion ensure the terminal is properly positioned within the housing.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides an apparatus and method for positioning a section of a well string. The apparatus includes a base plate and a turntable supported by the base plate. The turntable is preferably configured to rotate with respect to the base plate. At least one jack assembly is supported by the turntable and connects to a load collar, which is configured to support the section of the well string. The rotational position of the section of the well string can be adjusted by rotating the turntable. The vertical position of the section of the well string can be adjusted by raising or lowering the jack assembly.

Abstract: Efficient buffer cache utilization frees a data buffer as soon as data buffer processing is completed, and without losing association of the freed data buffer and a descriptor buffer. Separate free buffer link lists identify the freed data buffer and any freed descriptor buffer. The data buffer is rapidly processed then freed generally before completion of processing of the descriptor buffer, freeing the processed associated data buffer before the associated descriptor buffer is freed. The association of the processed free data buffer and the descriptor buffer may be ended to enable the more frequent use of the large capacity data buffer for other update requests.

Abstract: The invention relates to an improved rotavirus vaccine for man and animals and methods of using them. The invention comprises a method of immunizing humans, particularly children, and animals against rotavirus infections by parenteral immunization. The immunization may be carried out in a series of injections using live or inactivated vaccines, alone or in combination with each other or in combination with a rotavirus subunit vaccine or oral vaccine.

Abstract: Methods and devices useful for treatment of lung conditions resulting from dysfunction of normal pulmonary physiology.

Abstract: An electrical connector is provided including an electrical connector having a housing with a front end configured to receive a circuit board and a rear end configured to receive at least one flexible cable. The electrical connector includes top and bottom contacts retained in alignment along a vertical axis in corresponding channels in the housing. At least one of the top and bottom contacts has a first contact prong configured to engage the circuit board and a second contact prong configured to engage the at least one flexible cable. The electrical connector includes a stuffer received at the second end of the housing that is configured to retain the at least one flexible cable in contact with the second contact prong.

Abstract: Methods and devices useful for treatment of lung conditions resulting from dysfunction of normal pulmonary physiology.

Abstract: Compounds of formula I are useful in treating diseases or conditions prevented by or ameliorated with histamine-3 receptor ligands. Also disclosed are histamine-3 receptor ligand compositions and methods of antagonizing or agonizing histamine-3 receptors.