Abstract: A process is provided for preparing a downstream processable sodium glyphosate paste. The process includes mixing in a reactor particulate glyphosate acid, sodium hydroxide, water, and optionally one or more adjuvant(s). The reaction of glyphosate acid with sodium hydroxide causes the generation of heat resulting in the partial evaporation of the water such that a sodium glyphosate paste is formed having a moisture content of about 0.1% to about 20% by weight. The sodium glyphosate paste may then be further processed to form a dry granular herbicidal composition.

Abstract: Oriented longitudinal magnetic recording media on direct texture glass or glass-ceramic substrate with a film structure of one or more Ni-containing layer, a Cr-containing underlayer, a Co-containing magnetic layer and carbon overcoat exhibits are capable of achieving Mrt OR of >1.5, preferably >1.85. Such highly oriented glass media shows a significant SNR (>2 dB) and parametric improvement over the counterpart isotropic media with the same film structure on non-textured glass or glass-ceramic substrates.

Abstract: A portable non-volatile memory device includes a housing, a data access connector, a non-volatile memory, a password-entering interface and a password-verifying device. The data access connector is mounted to the housing and attachable to and detachable from a digital data processor. The non-volatile memory is disposed in the housing and selectively accessible by the digital data processor when the data access connector is attached to the digital data processor. The password-entering interface is disposed in the housing and has a portion exposed from the housing for allowing a user to enter a password. The password-verifying device verifies the password entered via the password-entering device according to a preset pattern, and allows the digital data processor to access to the non-volatile memory when the password complies with the preset pattern.

Abstract: A method for performing adaptive equalization is presented comprising receiving a Forward Error Correction (FEC) encoded signal from a channel, filtering the received FEC encoded signal using a filter according to at least one adjustable filter coefficient to produce a filtered signal, evaluating the filtered signal to generate a signal error output, adjusting the at least one adjustable filter coefficient in response to the signal error output, performing FEC decode processing dependent on the filtered signal to generate an FEC output, and adjusting the at least one adjustable filter coefficient in response to the FEC output. In one embodiment, the signal error output relates to Mean Squared Error (MSE), and the FEC output relates to bit error rate. The at least one adjustable filter coefficient may be first adjusted in response to the signal error output until a specified condition is met, then adjusted in response to the FEC output.

Abstract: A reference cell transistor with a series resistance to improve reliability in reading cells in an associated memory array. The reference cell transistor is coupled in series with a resistive element such that a reference current flows therethrough to reduce a voltage between a gate and a source of the reference cell transistor. This bends the Ids versus Vgate curve of the reference cell downward and compensates for irregularities in the resistance seen in series with the memory cell transistors. In this fashion, the margin when reading memory cells is improved and the reference current is more reliable. The resistive element may be external to a region having the reference cell transistor. Alternatively, the resistive element may be internal to a region with the memory array and reference cell. For example, it may be formed by extending the source region of the reference cell transistor.

Abstract: A method of combining information from multiple heterogeneous workers comprises transmitting a first search request to a search worker to assist the search worker in searching a first database and returning a first results set. A second search request is directed to a peer worker to assist the peer worker in initiating a search of a second database across a network asynchronously from the search worker and returning a second results set. The first results set and second results set are then incorporated into a composite results set.

Abstract: This invention provides novel peptides that function in vivo as agonists of the VPAC2 receptor. These insulin secretagogue polypeptides are shown to lower blood glucose in vivo more than controls upon glucose challenge. The polypeptides of this invention are also stable in formulation and have long half-lives. The peptides of the present invention provide a new therapy for patients with decreased endogenous insulin secretion, in particular type 2 diabetics. In particular, the invention is a polypeptide selected from a specific group of VPAC2-related polypeptides, or functional equivalents thereof. The invention is also directed to a method of treating a metabolic disease in a mammal comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of the insulin secretagogue peptides to said mammal. Also disclosed are methods of making the peptides, both recombinant and synthetic.

Abstract: Implanted catheters are locked with a solution comprising a lower alcohol, typically ethanol, propanol, or butanol, in a range from 1% to 99% by volume, and an additive in a range from 1% to 99% by volume, the additive comprising an anti-microbial, typically taurolidine or triclosan, or an anti-coagulant, typically riboflavin, sodium citrate, ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid, or citric acid. The use of an alcohol and additive solution can effectively reduce fouling of the catheter, particularly clotting and thrombus in intravascular catheters, as well as eradicate existing infections and/or reduce the risk of potential infections. Existing infections and/or potential infections can be further reduced by employing a catheter body which permits an anti-microbial solution to penetrate into the catheter body and preferably through the catheter into tissue surrounding the implanted catheter.

Abstract: The present invention is a system and method to significantly reduce noise associated with air-moving devices such as an axial flow fan using a fan shroud and barrel combination with built in silencers such as Helmholtz resonators. The invention can be applied to a variety of applications such as a thermal management system for a fuel cell powered vehicle. The resonator can be a hollow cavity in networks attached to an outer or inner barrel or shroud and tuned to reduce noise at predetermined noise frequency ranges within the airflow. The invention can also attach stator members on the inner surface of the outer barrel to further reduce noise. Additional sound absorbing material, such as steel wool, can be disposed within the resonator cavity.

Abstract: Mechanochemical fabrication produces electroceramics using oxides as starting materials. The fabrication starts with mixing industrial ceramic oxide powders. Electroceramic phases are formed by reacting the oxide powders in a mechanochemical chamber, which is a wear-resistant cylindrical vial with one or more solid balls inside. The formation of electroceramic phases of pervoskite structure and fine crystallinity are activated by mechanical energy or a combination of mechanical energy and thermal energy. Sintered electroceramic materials and components are fabricated when compacts or green bodies made of the resulting ceramic powders are densified at the sintering temperature.

Abstract: A drill member, or “drill steel,” is used in a drilling system for installing roof bolts in a mine. The drill member comprises an elongated bar having a central through bore and opposite open ends. The bar has a cross section that defines a circular outside perimeter and a polygonal inside perimeter. The polygonal inside perimeter is configured for coupling of the drill steel to drill bits at one end and to a motorized drill driving device at an opposite end.

Abstract: A method for producing electroceramic materials of high sintered density from hydroxide and/or oxalate precursors is disclosed. In this method the precursor(s) are compacted to form a preform, thermally treated, recompacted and then sintered to form finished products.

Abstract: The invention relates to electrophotographic recording media suitable for use with color copiers and laser printers. The media comprise an opaque substrate coated with a toner-receptive layer containing an epoxy or polyester resin having a melting point in the range of about 105° C. to about 200° C., and a wax having a melting point in the range of about 90° C. to about 200° C. The glossy media have good blocking resistance and are capable of producing high quality colored images.

Abstract: A method and system of targeting an Internet messaged to an Internet client based on geographic information of the Internet client is disclosed. The present invention first obtains IP addresses of Internet clients as they visit their web sites. The present invention then obtains addresses from the Internet clients and transforming the addresses to latitude/longitude coordinates for each of the Internet clients. A lookup table can thus be generated by correlating the IP addresses with the addresses and latitude/longitude coordinates. The information can be mined to resolve multiple entry conflicts to extract most likely position of a particular address. When an Internet client visits a web server, the IP address is collected from the Internet client to be targeted. The location of the Internet client can then be approximated by comparing the client's IP address with the lookup table.

Abstract: A drill member, or “drill steel,” is used in a drilling system for installing roof bolts in a mine. The drill member comprises an elongated bar having a central through bore and opposite open ends. The bar has a cross section that defines a circular outside perimeter and a polygonal inside perimeter. The polygonal inside perimeter allows for convenient coupling of the drill steel to drill bits at one end and to a motorized drill driving device at an opposite end. The drill steel can be cut to any length and the cut open end can accommodate components without the need for machining a specialized coupling element or configuration to the drill steel. Additionally, the round outside perimeter allows the drill steel to be more quietly rotated within the drilled hole.

Abstract: A method of parametric group processing includes forming a parametric index from an indexed database. A first parametric group and a second parametric group corresponding to elements in the parametric index are specified. The first parametric group and the second parametric group are merged to produce a merged parametric group. A parametric result is extracted from the merged parametric group, where the parametric result specifies a set of documents.

Abstract: A key management system includes secured data stored on a first system secured by a control key stored securely on a key server. The secured data is secured against attacks such as unauthorized use, modification or access, where authorization to access the secured data is determined by knowledge of an access private key of an access key pair. When an authorized user is to access the secured data, the first system generates a request to the key server, signed with the access private key, wherein the request is for a decryption control key and the request includes a one-time public key of a key pair generated by the first system for the request. The first system can decrypt the decryption control key from the response, using a one-time private key. The first system can then decrypt the secured data with the decryption control key remaining secured in transport.

Abstract: A method and system of using a server to facilitate a transaction between a subscriber and providers for a right to advertise to the subscriber is disclosed. The server is configured to have access to a profile database storing a set of information regarding the subscriber. The method comprises the steps of connecting the subscriber to the server, generating an identifier to specify the subscriber, retrieving from the profile database at least a set of information regarding the subscriber with the identifier, forwarding the retrieved information to the providers, receiving an offer from the providers, the offer being responsive to the information of the subscriber, accepting an offer from the providers based on given criteria, and forwarding the buyer's advertisement to the subscriber.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are disclosed for the controlled release delivery of polypeptide growth factors. The compositions of the invention are hydrogels which comprise: a polypeptide growth factor having at least one region of positive charge; a physiologically acceptable water-miscible anionic polymer; a physiologically acceptable non-ionic polymeric viscosity controlling agent; and water.

Abstract: A system and method for allowing a host to support a plurality of capture devices have been disclosed. The host includes a application program. In one aspect, the method and system include providing a first digital imaging device module, providing an interface layer, and providing a second digital imaging device module. The first digital imaging device module includes information relating to a first digital imaging device and is for controlling and providing connectivity to the first digital imaging device. The interface layer is for communicating between the application and the first digital imaging device module. The second digital imaging device module includes information relating to a second digital imaging device. The second digital imaging device module is for controlling and providing connectivity to the second digital imaging device and is accessible by the application through the interface layer.