Abstract: A laser handpiece is disclosed, including a shaped fiber optic tip having a side-firing output end with a non-cylindrical shape. The shaped fiber optic tip can be configured to side-fire laser energy in a direction away from a laser handpiece and toward sidewalls of a treatment or target site.

Abstract: A dynamic collaborative-browsing system enables client programs connected to a computer network to join and leave groups or sessions, to collaboratively browse together as a session, to communicate with other client programs in the session. Each client program in the session may act as a session leader, or may just follow a session leader as it browses network sites of the computer network. The system includes client programs, typically executing on client computers and server software, typically executing on one or more main servers. Network servers, such as Web servers, host a number of network sites each having a location or uniform resource locator (URL). The main server groups into server-defined cells.

Abstract: The present invention is a retractable/extendable diversity antenna that provides the appropriate polarization in a horizontal orientation. The antenna structure is placed within a Type II PCMCIA PC card package and may be extended or retracted with one touch. The antenna structure is large enough to provide for the diversity antenna design and may optionally be housed within a PCMCIA Type II PC Card. At least one spring-loaded mechanism is used to extend the antenna structure beyond the PCMCIA PC Card package and to provide stability while the antenna structure is in the extended position. The diversity antenna configuration may consist of either two miniature, planar antenna modules or two etched printed circuit board contours that are spaced as far apart as possible with a minimum separation of a quarter wave length distance in order to provide mitigation to radio multipath fading effects.

Abstract: The subject invention relates to nucleic acid sequences for detection of mutations in a PKD-1 or PKD-2 gene, as well as biomarkers for ADPKD. The invention further relates to methods for diagnosing ADPKD in an individual, and kits for performing the methods of the invention. The invention also provides a method for determining in an individual the presence or absence of a mutant PKD gene.

Abstract: A radiation emitting apparatus is disclosed that emits a substantially homogenous beam of radiation from an irregularly shaped output end. As described herein, a radiation emitting apparatus includes a bundled fiberguide coupled to an energy distribution tuner. The bundled fiber guide is coupled to the energy distribution tuner to receive a substantially uniform distribution of high power energy. The bundled fiber guide is configured to distribute the energy to emit a substantially uniform distribution of lower power energy toward a target surface, such as a body surface. The bundled fiber guide may include a plurality of fused optic fibers, a plurality of beam splitting mirror elements, or tapered waveguides.

Abstract: Milled, small particle size, solid bicyclo[2.2.1]heptane dicarboxylate salt-containing thermoplastic nucleating additive formulations further comprising at least one anticaking agent for improved haze reduction, improved nucleation performance, and prevention of potential cementation (via agglomeration) of the salt component present therein are provided. Such small particle size dicarboxylate salts provide desirable properties within thermoplastic articles, particularly as nucleating agents, but apparently suffer from certain clarity issues and agglomeration problems (due to the flat and thin plate structures of such compounds and the propensity they exhibit to cohere to each other during storage), making utilization thereof less desirable for certain applications. Thus, an improvement has been provided to permit full benefit of the excellent crystallization temperatures, stiffness, and calcium stearate compatibility such dicarboxylate salts accord within target low haze thermoplastics.

Abstract: Milled, small particle size, solid bicyclo[2.2.1]heptane dicarboxylate salt-containing thermoplastic nucleating additive formulations further comprising at least one anticaking agent for improved haze reduction, improved nucleation performance, and prevention of potential cementation (via agglomeration) of the salt component present therein are provided. Such small particle size dicarboxylate salts provide desirable properties within thermoplastic articles, particularly as nucleating agents, but apparently suffer from certain clarity issues and agglomeration problems (due to the flat and thin plate structures of such compounds and the propensity they exhibit to cohere to each other during storage), making utilization thereof less desirable for certain applications. Thus, an improvement has been provided to permit full benefit of the excellent crystallization temperatures, stiffness, and calcium stearate compatibility such dicarboxylate salts accord within target low haze thermoplastics.

Abstract: Thermoplastic compositions having significantly improved melt strength are provided. The compositions are blends of propylene polymer and silane-containing polymer and may also contain mineral fillers and ethylene copolymer plastomers. Compositions of the invention are particularly useful for thermoforming applications.

Abstract: A system and method of displaying content on a computer screen, wherein text (or other content) is formatted as multiple bitmaps, for example, each bitmap corresponding to a word. The bitmaps are resized so that they can be easily seen by someone with impaired vision, for example. If the resizing of the text causes some of it to extend beyond the horizontal boundaries of the display, the text is automatically wrapped to the next line.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods that allow detection and authentication of multiple devices within a subscriber dwelling. A system is described generally comprising multiple devices, each adapted to receive a broadband signal and including a modem coupled to a telephone line. At least one of the devices is configured to receive entitlement information corresponding to the other devices via the broadband signal, and to use the entitlement information to periodically authenticate the other devices via the telephone line. Several methods are disclosed for detecting a device connected to a telephone line. A described method for authenticating a device connected to a telephone line includes receiving entitlement information corresponding to each of the devices via a broadband signal, and using the entitlement information to authenticate each of the devices via the telephone line.

Abstract: The present invention is a retractable/extendable diversity antenna that provides the appropriate polarization in a horizontal orientation. The antenna structure is placed within a Type II PCMCIA PC card package and may be extended or retracted with one touch. The antenna structure is large enough to provide for the diversity antenna design and may optionally be housed within a PCMCIA Type II PC Card. At least one spring-loaded mechanism is used to extend the antenna structure beyond the PCMCIA PC Card package and to provide stability while the antenna structure is in the extended position. The diversity antenna configuration may consist of either two miniature, planar antenna modules or two etched printed circuit board contours that are spaced as far apart as possible with a minimum separation of a quarter wave length distance in order to provide mitigation to radio multipath fading effects.

Abstract: The present invention is a retractable/extendable diversity antenna that provides the appropriate polarization in a horizontal orientation. The antenna structure is placed within a Type II PCMCIA PC card package and may be extended or retracted with one touch. The antenna structure is large enough to provide for the diversity antenna design and may optionally be housed within a PCMCIA Type II PC Card. At least one spring-loaded mechanism is used to extend the antenna structure beyond the PCMCIA PC Card package and to provide stability while the antenna structure is in the extended position. The diversity antenna configuration may consist of either two miniature, planar antenna modules or two etched printed circuit board contours that are spaced as far apart as possible with a minimum separation of a quarter wave length distance in order to provide mitigation to radio multipath fading effects.

Abstract: The invention relates to a holistic sustainable wastewater treatment system that utilizes a bast medium as the attached growth medium. The wastewater treatment system of the present invention (Bast Medium Biological Reactor Treatment System) reduces odors and in-house ammonia levels and increases the overall water quality of organic waste streams. It uses naturally occurring microorganisms to process wastewater and remove odor without chemical augmentation. The Bast Medium Biological Reactor Treatment System is simple, with few moving parts and low maintenance requirements. The invention also relates to a method for treating wastewater using the wastewater treatment system according to the present invention.

Abstract: An electrical conductive assembly including an electrical conductor and an annular laminate insulator surrounding the electrical conductor. The annular laminate insulator includes an inner ply of a first polymeric composition and an outer ply of a second polymeric composition wherein the outer ply second polymeric composition has a hardness in excess of the inner ply first polymeric composition and wherein the abrasion resistance of the laminate is in excess of the combined individual abrasion resistance of the inner ply and outer plies. The annular laminate is flame retardant and stabilized against thermal oxidation by the inclusion of a flame retardant and a thermal antioxidant. The polymers of the first and second polymeric compositions are thermosetting resins, crystalline thermoplastics having a melting point of at least about 130° C. or amorphous thermoplastics having a glass transition temperature of at least about 130° C.

Abstract: Extrusion compositions having improved melt stability and suitable for use in high-speed extrusion coating operations are disclosed. The compositions are a dynamically modified mixture of a first polymeric component which is a reactor-made or physically blended mixture of polypropylene and an ethylene-propylene copolymer, a second polymeric component which is a fractional melt index homopolymer or copolymer of ethylene and an organic peroxide.

Abstract: A novel three person chess apparatus and method of play is disclosed. A generally hexagonal board is provided having alternating side lengths of 8 and 9 spaces. Each of the three sides in the game set up the rear rank of their pieces on one of the 9 spaced sides. A new piece, referred to in the preferred embodiment as the “Champion”, is located centrally on the rear rank, between the King and the Queen, and combines the moves of either the Bishop or Knight. The rest of the major pieces are placed in the customary positions. 10 pawns are placed in the rank immediately in front of these major pieces and play alternates in a sequential fashion between the three players until two of the Kings are checkmated or a stalemate occurs.

Abstract: A hand-held electronic toy gun and target apparatus facilitating a game of tag using infrared light communications between a plurality of players. An electronic controller is coupled to a transmitter for sending a series of encoded infrared light signals and a receiver for detecting infrared light signals. A gun body enclosing the controller, transmitter and receiver combination includes a handle with at least one hand operable trigger and a housing atop the handle conforming to the player's wrist and forearm. The housing has a top portion for mounting a non-planar surface of a target window for exposing the target window upwardly and outwardly over a wide range of side angles. The housing further includes a front end portion forward of the handle for positioning an infrared light lens for focussing the series of encoded infrared light signals from the transmitter outwardly from the housing.

Abstract: Anhydride-functionalized polymers are modified in accordance with the present invention by reacting all or a portion of the anhydride functionality with an aliphatic alcohol to convert the anhydride groups to half-esters. Half-esters produced by modifying maleic anhydride grafted ethylene polymers with alcohols are particularly useful. Adhesive blends obtained by combining the alcohol-modified polymers with one or more polyolefin base resins and composite structures wherein said adhesive blends are adhered to EVOH are also provided. Modification of the maleic anhydride grafts in accordance with the process of this invention makes it possible to produce films having improved optical quality.

Abstract: A mailing envelope (10) has a stick down closure flap (11) extending from a fold line (12) along the top edge of a front panel (20). The closure flap (11) includes a graspable tear-out tab (19) to which is adhered a flexible line member (18) which extends across and is adhered to the envelope internally thereof. The envelope (10) may be opened by grasping the tab (19), with the line member adhered thereto, and pulling the tab (19) and the line member (18) away from the envelope to cause the line member (18) to tear through the envelope along the length of the line member. Preferably the line member (18) is secured to the flap (11) along it fold line (12).

Abstract: A process and equipment for plasma sterilization in which articles in a sterilizing chamber are taken through at least one combination sterilizing cycle. The articles to be sterilized may include the interior of a vessel or chamber. In that case, the vessel or chamber itself may serve as a sterilizing chamber and connects to the plasma generating chamber. Each combination sterilizing cycle includes a pulsed treatment with gaseous antimicrobial agent, removal of the gaseous antimicrobial agent, and a plasma treatment. The pulsed treatment includes one or more pulse-vacuum cycles, each pulse-vacuum cycle includes the steps of evacuating the sterilizing chamber and exposing the article to the gaseous antimicrobial agent with a predetermined pressure profile during a predetermined time. The gaseous antimicrobial agent is preferably carried in a gas mixture with a nonreactive carrier gas. In one embodiment, the predetermined pressure is pulsed. In another embodiment, it is ramped.