Abstract: The present invention relates to neutral, aqueous soluble &bgr;-glucans which exert potent and specific immunological effects without stimulating the production of certain cytokines, to preparations containing the novel &bgr;-glucans, and to a novel manufacturing process therefor. The neutral, aqueous soluble &bgr;-glucan preparation has a high affinity for the &bgr; glucan receptor of human monocytes and retains two primary biological (or immunological) activities, (1) the enhancement of microbicidal activity of phagocytic cells, and (2) monocyte, neutrophil and platelet hemo-poietic activity. Unlike soluble glucans described in the prior art, the neutral, aqueous soluble &bgr;-glucan of this invention neither induces nor primes IL-1&bgr; and TNF&agr; production in vitro and in vivo.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a system and method for noise cancellation for an apparatus such as an electric motors or generator. The system may comprise a plurality of actuators, a plurality of phase controllers, each phase controller receiving an input signal representing a movement of an apparatus and outputting an output signal based on the input signal and at least one predetermined phase shift, and a plurality of amplifiers, each amplifier receiving an output signal from one of the phase controllers and outputting an amplified signal to drive one of the actuators. The method may comprise the steps of generating a first signal representing a movement of the apparatus, generating at least one second signal based on (a) the first signal, (b) at least one predetermined phase shift, and (c) at least one predetermined amplitude, and driving at least one actuator with the at least one second signal.

Abstract: In an integrated circuit assembly, know good die (KGD) are assembled on a substrate. Interconnect elements electrically connect pads on a die attached to the substrate to traces or other electrical conductors on the substrate or to pads on another die attached to the substrate. The substrate may have one or more openings, exposing pads of the die. The assembly may comprise one or more dice.

Abstract: A cooperative computer system interconnects the plurality of computers through a network. Each computer is able to execute a foreign computer program received from another computer on the network whenever the local computer has capacity to execute the received program based upon local computer operating requirements. The local computer returns to the foreign computer required information regarding execution of the foreign computer program. The execution of the foreign computer program at the local computer is enabled only when the effect on a local user is minimal. Once the foreign program is operating, it can be interrupted if the effect of its execution as perceived by the local user becomes other than minimal, and sufficient data and context information for continuing execution of an interrupted foreign program can be returned to the foreign computer for transmittal and completion of the interrupted program on a computer other than the local computer.

Abstract: An article having an internal passage therein and an internal article surface is coated by providing a coating slurry that is a mixture of a deposition source including a source of aluminum, a halide activator, and a flowable carrier comprising a flowable compound selected from the group consisting of a flowable organic compound and a flowable inorganic compound. There is no oxide dispersant in the coating slurry. The coating slurry is introduced into the internal passage and dried to remove at least a portion of the carrier therefrom and leave a dried coating material. The article surface in gaseous communication with the dried coating material is heated to form an aluminum-containing coating bonded to the article surface. Any residual dried coating material is removed by blowing compressed air through the internal passage.

Abstract: This invention generally relates to methods, apparatus and computer program code for secure communication links, in particular where accountability is required.

Abstract: A natural formulation of compounds that would to modulate inflammation is disclosed. The formulation would also inhibit expression of COX-2, inhibit synthesis of prostaglandins selectively in target cells, and inhibit inflammatory response selectively in target cells. The compositions containing at least one fraction isolated or derived from hops.

Abstract: A telephone system is described in which subscriber telephones store appearance models for the appearance of a party to the telephone call, from which it synthesises a video sequence of that party from a set of appearance parameters received from the telephone network. The appearance parameters may be generated either from a camera associated with the user's phone or may be generated from text or speech signals input by that party.

Abstract: A flexible finger system for a hockey glove. The flexible finger system includes at least one finger access hole in at least one of the fingers of the hockey glove. The flexible finger system includes an additional glove finger extending about and from each finger access hole. The additional glove finger is formed by an additional finger section attached to the sides of the glove and a finger tab extending from one of the fingers of the bottom of the glove and attached to the additional finger section. The additional finger section includes a glove section and a flexible finger section. The glove section attaches to the sides and the flexible finger section attaches to the finger tab. Wherein the attachment of the flexible finger section and the finger tab naturally forms the finger access hole to the additional glove finger.

Abstract: A partially manufactured semiconductor chip comprising a slice and a number of shells is a template for a communication and networking chip. The slice has a number of I/O ports, blocks, and PHYs. The hardmac PHYs are established to correspond to a high speed data transmission protocol. The interior of the template comprises logic gate arrays and configurable memory. Once particular protocols of data receipt and transmission are selected, the logic gate arrays and configurable memory can be programmed and otherwise configured to develop protocol layers for data networking and communication.

Abstract: A matrix of collagen is obtained through the method of electroprocessing. As a common natural polymer, collagen may be electroprocessed to form a matrix for multiple different applications.. The flexibility and variability of the processing allows the collagen matrix to be predesigned to meet many applications. These applications are included, but not limited to, biomedical applications, manufactured leather applications, food casing products, and footwear and clothing products.

Abstract: The system and method provides an NDT inspector with a realistic simulation of inspecting a test piece while injecting virtual flaws for display on an NDT instrument, while also presenting actual flaws to the inspector. A conventional NDT test probe and instrument are connected to the system at the probe leads interface. The system provides means for monitoring probe position and probe liftoff, means for storing virtual flaw signals and associated locations on a test piece, and means for providing a virtual flaw signal to the NDT instrumentation to simulate the response of the actual probe. The invention provides for nondestructive test method qualification and probability of detection determination, for establishing and maintaining nondestructive testing proficiency of inspectors, for periodically presenting flaw signals to inspectors during routine inspections, and for ensuring sufficient scan coverage for detection of material defects in a test piece.

Abstract: A fryer includes a cooking vessel, and the cooking vessel includes a wall and contains a cooking medium. The fryer also includes a heater for heating the cooking medium, and a first temperature sensor which determines a first temperature. The first temperature is a temperature of the cooking medium or is a temperature of air within the cooking vessel, depending on a level of the cooking medium within the cooking vessel. The first temperature sensor also generates a first signal indicating the first temperature. The fryer also includes a second temperature sensor, which determines a second temperature of the wall. The second temperature sensor also generates a second signal indicating the second temperature. Moreover, the fryer includes a controller which is electrically coupled to the first temperature sensor and to the second temperature sensor. Specifically, the controller receives the first signal and receives the second signal.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for erasing jobs from a marking device's non-volatile memory includes a monitor and notification system to detect and make a user aware of failure of the erasure. The notification system can offer alternate methods of erasure as part of the notification.

Abstract: A copper- nickel-silicon quench substrate rapidly solidifies molten alloy into microcrystalline or amorphous strip. The substrate is composed of a thermally conducting alloy. It has a two-phase microstructure with copper rich regions surrounded by a network of nickel silicide phases. The microstructure is substantially homogeneous. Casting of strip is accomplished with minimal surface degradation as a finction of casting time. The quantity of material cast during each run is improved without the toxicity encountered with copper-beryllium substrates.

Abstract: A ribbon cartridge includes a cartridge housing, a supply spool, a take-up spool, and a supply of ribbon. The cartridge housing includes a supply spool enclosure, a take-up spool enclosure, a pair of ribbon guides, and a gap between the ribbon guides and the supply and take-up spool enclosures. The supply spool is contained in the supply spool enclosure, and the take-up spool is contained in the take-up spool enclosure. The ribbon extends from the supply spool, over the ribbon guides and the gap, and to the take-up spool. Another aspect of the ribbon cartridge includes a cartridge housing and a cleaner roller. The cartridge housing includes front and rear walls. The cleaner roller is rotatably supported between the front and rear walls.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for packaging contact lenses. The apparatus includes a compliant head, improved heater and improved heat seal die.

Abstract: A composition for forming a crystalline thermoplastic (such as polyacetal) composition for improving compatibility using a ternary blend that includes a mineral filler and elastomer material and an article made therefrom. The mineral filler may be coated or uncoated.

Abstract: A tool for designing integrated circuits that optimizes the placement and timing of memory blocks within the circuit. Given a manufactured slice that has a number of blocks already diffused and logically integrated, the memory generation tool herein automatically considers the available diffused memory and the gate array of the slices to configure and optimize them into a customer's requirements for memory. The memory generation tool has a memory manager, a memory resource database, a memory resource selector, and a memory composer. Together these all interact to generate memories from the available memories within the memory resource database. The memory composer actually generates the RTL logic shells for the memories, and outputs the memory designs in Verilog, VHDL, or other tool synthesis language. Once a memory is created, it is tested.

Abstract: Plastic panels for exterior use on buildings are made by forming a plastic sheet at an elevated temperature, overlaying an exterior surface portion of the formed sheet with a coloring sheet having a preselected color, and thermally bonding the coloring sheet to the formed sheet. The coloring sheet preferably comprises a vinyl resin plastisol and pigment particles. Both the formed sheet and the vinyl resin in the plastisol preferably comprise polyvinyl chloride (PVC). Use of the coloring sheet enables color changes to be accomplished quickly and inexpensively so that manufacturers are able to maintain smaller inventories of the finished product while still satisfying customer needs.