Abstract: Compounds of Formula I wherein R1, A, R2, R3, R4, R5, R8, n, m, q and r are as described in the specification, pharmaceutically-acceptable salts, methods of making, pharmaceutical compositions containing and methods for using the same.

Abstract: The invention is a method of automatically adjusting an electrode array to the neural characteristics of an individual subject. The response to electrical neural stimulation varies from subject to subject. Measure of impedance may be used to predict the electrode height from the neural tissue and, thereby, predict the threshold of perception. Alternatively, electrode height may be measured directly to predict the threshold of perception. Also, impedance measurement may be used to quickly identify defective electrodes and proper electrode placement.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to the activation of the content of anonymous welcome screens without losing availability. A method in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention includes: providing a wrapper application on a first set of application servers, configured for high performance and availability, with the goal of quickly providing and serving a dynamic welcome screen corresponding to the application using a second set of application servers, independent from the first set of application servers and configured for high functionality and security, wherein the content of the welcome screen is obtained by reading national language sensitive (NLS) content from corresponding updatable text storage areas; wherein the welcome screen remains available to a user regardless of an operational status of the application on the first application server.

Abstract: An airflow management system and/or method used in particle abatement in semiconductor manufacturing equipment. In particular, the apparatus disclosed is capable of creating and managing a carefully controlled particle free environment for the handling of semiconductor wafers or similar articles. The apparatus is particularly suited to be used as an interface between an equipment front end module (EFEM) and a vacuum loadlock chamber or other such article of process equipment. The apparatus also enables relative motion between enclosures while maintaining a particle free environment utilizing a moving air diffuser mounted to an interface panel.

Abstract: A method for forming a fuel cell component includes the steps of providing a two-part sealant having a first part comprising an initiator and a second part comprising a polymerizable material; applying the first part of the sealant to a substrate of a first fuel cell component; applying the second part of the sealant to a substrate of a second fuel cell component; juxtaposingly aligning the substrates of the first and second fuel cell components; and curing the sealant to bond the first and second fuel components to one and the other. The initiator may be an actinic radiation initiator, whereby the sealant is cured by actinic radiation. The polymerizable material may be a polymerizable monomer, oligomer, telechelic polymer, functional polymer and combinations thereof. Desirably, the functional group is epoxy, allyl, vinyl, acrylate, methacrylate, imide, amide, urethane and combinations thereof.

Abstract: An ergonomically designed portable cooling seat is provided. The portable cooling seat according to current application is comprised of a flexible connection duct, a flexible air distributor that is in a form of plastic cushion, a tiny blower that installed inside of the connection duct to facilitate introduction of air from air-conditioner into the air distributor, and a solid structure that is foldable along the center thereof. The air distributor and the solid foldable structure are ergonomically designed and covered with soft clothes to form a portable cooling seat. The portable cooling seat supplies cool air to the back and beneath of the buttocks of a driver, while avoiding undesirable region such as perinea and shoulder, to prevents driver's body oozed by sweat.

Abstract: As described herein, signaling events occurring in neurons or at neuronal synapses have been identified that involve Cdk5 and various other molecules which bind to, are activated by, and/or activate Cdk5. Of particular relevance are interactions that stimulate calpain cleavage of p35 into p25, which binds Cdk5 in pathologic states. Assays to identify modulators of these interactions are provided.

Abstract: A cyclonic separating apparatus includes a first cyclonic separating unit including at least one first cyclone, a second cyclonic separating unit located downstream of the first cyclonic separating unit and including at least one second cyclone, and a third cyclonic separating unit located downstream of the second cyclonic separating unit and including a plurality of third cyclones arranged in parallel. The separation efficiency of the first cyclonic separating unit is lower than the separation efficiency of the second cyclonic separating unit and the separation efficiency of the second cyclonic separating unit is lower than the separation efficiency of the third separating unit, thus achieving a higher separation efficiency than known separation apparatus.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for encrypting and decrypting data. A first block cipher encrypts data to generate a first cipher output. A first double irregular columnar transposition cipher encrypts the first cipher output to generate a second cipher output. A second block cipher encrypts the second cipher output to generate a third cipher output.

Abstract: A steam dispersion system is disclosed. The steam dispersion system includes a header, a divider dividing the header into at least two interior chambers that are generally not in fluid communication with each other, and at least two steam dispersion tubes, each steam dispersion tube communicating with only one interior chamber. Each interior chamber includes a separate steam flow valve for independently controlling the amount of steam flow to each chamber based on the difference between a measured humidity value and a predetermined desired humidity value.

Abstract: A method is presented for making alkoxy-modified silsesquioxanes (AMS) or co-alkoxy-modified silsesquioxanes (co-AMS,) comprising the steps of (a) combining as a reaction mixture (i) water, (ii) an acid-stable solvent for the water, (iii) a solid strong cationic hydrolysis and condensation catalyst, and (iv) a trialkoxysilane compound, (b) allowing the reaction mixture to react for about 0.5 hours to about 200 hours to form the alkoxy-modified silsesquioxanes; and (c) recovering the alkoxy-modified silsesquioxanes from the reaction mixture. The use of solid strong cationic catalysts in this reaction system is advantageous because they remain as solids throughout the reaction, allowing simplified separation of the solid catalyst from the soluble AMS or co-AMS products, resulting in total or near total recovery of the AMS or co-AMS products, the products being free of, or substantially free of residual acid catalyst, as well as virtual total recovery of the catalyst for recycling.

Abstract: A method of reducing distortion in the output of an amplifier is provided. The method comprises subtractively combining baseband error signals with the appropriate phase shift with baseband input signals, the baseband error signals generated by subtractively combining delayed fed-forward portions of the baseband input signals with baseband converted portions of a fed-back amplified output signal, the amplified output signal being a distorted replica of combined up-converted baseband input signals. The baseband error signals being filtered prior to the combining function, and also providing inputs to a controller which adjusts active elements of the amplification and fed-back paths in order to minimize the distortion within the output of the amplifier.

Abstract: A process or method for playing a board game that incorporates at least one digital storage device, at least one player, playing surface & equipment, and multimedia speaker(s) with the steps of: Digital storage device(s): i.e. MP3 Player, laptop, mobile phone, Tivo, cable box, iPod, etc, access to related website(s) that maintains game content, playing surface & equipment provided, or the use of existing playing surface and equipment, at least one participant, audio cable for connection to multimedia speakers, or, wireless connection to multimedia speakers, age and gender qualified trivia questions, age and gender qualified music, age and gender qualified video, age and gender qualified spoken word, and rules or conditions for playing. The content arrangement and method of play allows any participant to compete against other participants (players) regardless of age, skill, experience, knowledge, or competence.

Abstract: A wrap-around place mat adaptable for use on a table-like surface for covering a portion of the eating or play surface in front of a child, the place mat including a first table top portion, a second wrap-around securement portion adaptable for wrapping around an edge surface associated with the table-like surface and being positionable on at least a portion of the side portion thereof, and an attachment mechanism associated with at least the second portion for securing the place mat to the table-like surface and at least its associated side portion. In some embodiments, the wrap-around portion is likewise attachable to at least a portion of the underneath portion of the table-like surface and may include a pocket member.

Abstract: Photocosmetic device for use in medical or non-medical environments (e.g., a home, barbershop, or spa), which can be used for a variety of tissue treatments. Radiation is delivered to the tissue via optical systems designed to pattern the radiation and project the radiation to a particular depth. The device has a variety of cooling systems including phase change cooling solids and liquids to cool treated skin and the radiation sources. Contact sensors and motion sensor may be used to enhance treatment. The device may be modular to facilitate manufacture and replacement of parts.

Abstract: A sonar transducer network for observing a seabed includes a controller. A first transducer assembly includes a first acoustic transducer to convert a first ping to a first electrical signal; and a first transducer processor to receive a first electrical signal from the first acoustic transducer to generate the first transducer data. At least one second transducer assembly is spaced apart from the first transducer assembly. The second transducer assembly includes a second acoustic transducer to convert a second ping to a second electrical signal. The second transducer processor receives the second electrical signal from the second acoustical transducer to generate second transducer data. A network bus communicates first transducer data and second transducer data with the controller.

Abstract: Transalkylation catalysts containing rhenium and a molecular sieve component comprising an acidic MFI molecular sieve having a Si/Al2 molar ratio of less than about 80 and mordenite provide a transalkylation product with a low content of benzene co-boilers. The invention encompasses sulfided catalyst embodiments and methods of making the catalysts.

Abstract: The performance of optimization algorithms operating with compute-intensive fitness functions is enhanced by constraining time-intensive fitness evaluations for candidate solutions that show low likelihood of being fit at early stages of the fitness evaluation. By prematurely discarding alternatives that could be potentially optimal upon complete fitness evaluation but with low likelihood, the running time of the overall optimization process is advantageously reduced substantially, thereby trading off time complexity for search fidelity.

Abstract: An agent in a storage area network communicates with a management entity in the storage area network to discover a group of resources in the storage area network controlled by the management entity. In response to discovering the group of resources, the agent associates member resources (e.g., and their respective names) of the group of resources to a corresponding group identifier to which the member resources belong. The agent reports i) the corresponding group identifier and ii) the member resources of the group of resources controlled by the management entity to a management control center that assigns one of multiple agents in the storage area network to manage the group of resources based on communications with the management entity. After a step of assigning, the management control center can initiate an assigned agent to control the group of resources.

Abstract: Apparatus and systems for the application of a coating to an object. The systems comprise a continuous belt comprising at least one supporting member positioned to retain the object thereon, a drive member in operative engagement with the continuous belt, a coating unit in communication with the continuous belt, and a drying unit in communication with the continuous belt and the coating unit and arranged such that the object is coated and dried on the continuous belt. The supporting member of the belt may include at least one blade member comprising a plurality of projections, at least one of which is positioned to contact the object.