Abstract: Disclosed are a method of and system for assuring a person's identity. A first party registers with an identity service and gives that service a first set of answers to a set of questions and additional data; the identity service gives the first party identification information; and the first party, through interacting with the identity service, establishes its identity with a second party. To do this, the first party gives the second party the identification information and a second set of answers to the set of questions. The second party sends the identification information and the second set of answers to the identity service. The service analyzes the identification information and the first and second sets of answers to determine an identification quality rating for the first party, and sends that rating to the second party.

Abstract: A threaded connection for a conduit includes a pin member and a box member. The pin member includes a pin thread having a pin thread crest, a pin thread root, a pin load flank oriented at a pin load flank angle, and a pin stab flank oriented at a pin stab flank angle. The box member includes a box thread having a box thread crest, a box thread root, a box load flank oriented at a box load flank angle, and a box stab flank oriented at a box stab flank angle. At least one of the pin load flank angle, the pin stab flank angle, the box load flank angle, and the box stab flank angle varies over at least part of the threaded connection.

Abstract: An expandable tubular connection includes a pin member and a box member. The pin member includes a pin thread formed on a small step and a large step and a first seal surface formed between the small step and the large step. The box member includes a box thread formed on a small step and a large step and a second seal surface formed between the small step and the large step. The pin thread and the box thread are wedge threads. Upon a selected make-up of the pin member with the box member a selected gap exists between the first seal surface and the second seal surface. The gap is selected such that, when plastically radially expanded by a selected amount, a seal is formed between at least a portion of the first seal surface and the second seal surface.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling the dispersion of molten metal in a mold cavity is disclosed, the control facilitated by a localized densification of foam in a lost foam casting operation for producing metal castings, wherein the filling of regions of the mold cavity which do not lend themselves to castability is maximized, an amount of backfill and casting defects are minimized, and a flow pattern of molten metal and material properties of the resulting casting are optimized.

Abstract: Cast-in-place cylinder bore liners are disclosed for use in casting of engine cylinder blocks, wherein a plurality of the cylinder bore liners are joined to form a cassette, and wherein an accuracy in positioning of each of the bore liners with respect to each other is maximized and a weight thereof is minimized.

Abstract: A live fish container has a top with two flexible flaps that co-operate to define a closable opening for the container. A float element is located near the top and a removable seat and a handle are also included. The seat is connected to the container by a hinge mechanism.

Abstract: A system and method for thermal management of a die is disclosed wherein cooling of the die is controlled by controlling coolant flow to switch between laminar flow and turbulent flow as desired.

Abstract: The invention provides polypeptide fragments derived from TgAMA-1, nucleic acids that encode the polypeptide fragments, and TgAMA-binding polypeptides such as antibodies. Methods for using the polypeptide and nucleic acid molecules to produce vaccines are also provided. In addition the invention provides methods involving use of the polypeptides, nucleic acids, and binding polypeptides, such as antibodies, for the prevention and treatment of Toxoplasmosis.

Abstract: Crystal form F of [2S, 4R, 5R, 8R, 9S, 10S, 11R, 12R]-9-[(2,6-dideoxy-3-C-methyl-3-O-methyl-?-L-ribo-hexopyranosyl)oxy]-5-ethyl-4-methoxy-2,4,8,10,12,14-hexamethyl-11-[[3,4,6-trideoxy-3-(isopropylmethylamino)-?-D-xylo-hexopyranosyl]oxy]-6,15-dioxabicyclo[10.2.1]pentadec-14(1)-ene-3,7-dione (E)-2-butenedioic acid salt (2:1) showing strong X-ray diffraction peaks at diffraction angles 2?=6.6° and 8.5°, Crystal form D anhydrate of said compound showing strong X-ray diffraction peaks at diffraction angles 2?=7.1°, 13.5° and 14.2°, Crystal form D X-hydrate of said compound showing strong X-ray diffraction peaks at diffraction angles 2?=7.1° and 14.2° but not showing a strong X-ray diffraction peak at a diffraction angle 2?=13.5°, Solvate Crystal forms G1, G2 and G3 of said compound characterized by 2-theta angle positions in the powder X-ray diffraction pattern of 5.4°, 10.4°, 10.7° and 12.1°.

Abstract: A barrier-free wheelchair constructed entirely of plastic or non-metal components. The device is designed to facilitate the passage of wheelchair occupants through magnetometers, such as those utilized for airport security. The present invention is non-collapsible in nature, as the device is intended for on-site usage and not for transport in vehicles and the like. Due to its materials and construction, the wheelchair of the present invention also allows for a solid non-sling seat, is pilferage resistant, and provides multiple surfaces upon which indicia, such as corporate graphics, may appear. In addition, consistent with pre-existing wheelchairs, the present invention allows for the removable attachment of a variety of accessories, including foot rests and trays.

Abstract: A barrier-free wheelchair constructed entirely of plastic or non-metal components. The device is designed to facilitate the passage of wheelchair occupants through magnetometers, such as those utilized for airport security. The present invention is non-collapsible in nature, as the device is intended for on-site usage and not for transport in vehicles and the like. Due to its materials and construction, the wheelchair of the present invention also allows for a solid non-sling seat, is pilferage resistant, and provides multiple surfaces upon which indicia, such as corporate graphics, may appear. In addition, consistent with pre-existing wheelchairs, the present invention allows for the removable attachment of a variety of accessories, including foot rests and trays.

Abstract: Several embodiments are disclosed for a door system to secure the cockpit of an aircraft. One embodiment includes a frame which is hingedly coupled to an interior wall of an aircraft, such that the frame can swing from a first configuration to a second configuration. In the first configuration, the cockpit door is accessible and is not in a secure area. In the second configuration, the cockpit door is not accessible allowing the cockpit door to be opened in a secure area.

Abstract: In a method for creating an immune response, a vaccine is prepared in the form of a dry powder. The powder particles have an aerodynamic particle size range from 1-100 microns. A dose of powder is loaded into a dry powder inhaler. The dose is inhaled with an inspiratory flow rate of less than 60 liters per minute. A mucosal immune response is created via particles of the vaccine material depositing on the upper respiratory tract. A systemic immune response is created via particles of the vaccine material depositing into the deep lung. The vaccine material is size reduced by e.g., jet milling, into the desired range, yet vaccine potency is retained.

Abstract: In a powder formulation for use in a dry powder inhaler, a pharmaceutical acts as its own carrier, so that use of lactose or other excipients are not needed. The dry powder formulation has a single active pharmaceutical compound having two major populations in particle size distribution: microfine particles of the active pharmaceutical, of 1-10 microns in diameter, and larger carrier particles, also of the active pharmaceutical compound. The carrier particles provide a long acting, delayed onset, and optionally therapeutic effect via the GI tract, while the microfine particles provide a fast onset effect via the lung.

Abstract: Several embodiments are disclosed for a door system to secure the cockpit of an aircraft. One embodiment includes a frame which is hingedly coupled to an interior wall of an aircraft, such that the frame can swing from a first configuration to a second configuration. In the first configuration, the cockpit door is accessible and is not in a secure area. In the second configuration, the cockpit door is not accessible allowing the cockpit door to be opened in a secure area.

Abstract: A dry powder inhaler has a dispersion chamber containing beads. A dose of dry powder is released into the chamber, or into an inlet tangentially joining into the chamber. As the patient inhales on a nosepiece or mouthpiece, air moves circularly through the dispersion chamber to drive the beads. The beads roll, bounce, and collide repeatedly with the drug particles on the chamber surfaces or on the beads. The smaller active drug particles are separated from the larger carrier particles and from each other, and a powder aerosol is created and inhaled by the patient. The beads are preferably lightweight, so that they can be rapidly accelerated and moved, even with nominal inspiration. The flow resistance of the inhaler is also reduced via the beads, allowing greater air flow and powder dispersion, without any increased effort by the patient.

Abstract: A dry powder formulation for treatment of pulmonary conditions, via inhalation, includes an effective amount of formoterol or a salt or solvate thereof, in a dry powder form, an effective amount of fluticasone, in a dry powder form, and an excipient. A method for preparing a physically stable dry powder formulation for inhalation includes the steps of micronizing a first active polar drug, a second active non-polar drug, and a polar excipient. The second non-polar active drug is first blended with the excipient to form an intermediate mixture. The intermediate mixture is then blended with the first active polar drug. The increased separation of the polar drug and polar excipient stabilizes the formulation.

Abstract: In a powder formulation for use in a dry powder inhaler, a pharmaceutical acts as its own carrier, so that use of lactose or other excipients are not needed. The dry powder formulation has a single active pharmaceutical compound having two major populations in particle size distribution: microfine particles of the active pharmaceutical, of 1-10 microns in diameter, and larger carrier particles, also of the active pharmaceutical compound. The carrier particles provide a long acting, delayed onset, and optionally therapeutic effect via the GI tract, while the microfine particles provide a fast onset effect via the lung.

Abstract: A holder for a guitar slide having a first elongated rod portion for receiving a guitar slide, the first rod portion having an open end and a closed end, and a second rod portion extending from the closed end of the first rod portion and being generally perpendicular to the first rod portion, the second rod portion including a threaded end opposite an end extending from the closed end of the first rod portion where the threaded end is for securing the holder to a vertical surface. A holding device is provided for attaching the guitar slide holder to a microphone stand or a vertical surface.

Abstract: Data is recovered despite a single point of failure in a data exchanging system while accommodating scaleable data transfer rate performance. In the environment of at least two disk array controllers, a serial dumping scheme assists in recovery of data from a fast memory. It is imperative to avoid loss of write data from a host computer which is received and acknowledged but not yet stored in a disk medium. The configuration ensures that at least one of the controllers will handle the data so as to correct single failure point errors and properly store that data on one of the disks of an array. A fast memory providing a buffer between a remote host computer and arrays of data storage media is managed so that data received for writing is duplicated for reliability of storage while data for reading to the host computer is manipulated with an enhanced bandwidth of fast memory operation.