Abstract: The methodology described herein arranges a collection of positive return streams or market “betas” where a diversified set of these return streams are available at a lower cost. The methodology combines known risk premiums and exotic betas to arrive at its results. For example, such a method of identifying eligible investments for inclusion in an investment fund can include selecting a first investment and a second investment; determining whether the first investment and the second investment provide positive, historical excess return streams; assessing a correlation between the first investment and the second correlation; and identifying a representative index and vehicle for the first and second investments if the assessed correlation is at or below a predetermined low correlation level.

Abstract: A mast includes a base section, an outer telescopic section and an inner telescopic section which are raised and lowered by a pair of main lift cylinders. A fork carriage is slidably mounted to the inner telescopic section and is raised and lowered thereon by a pair of free lift cylinders. The mast elements are arranged to form two mast columns which produce minimum obstruction to the truck operator's field of view when looking forward through the mast.

Abstract: A method for providing television functionality includes defining a time period, associating a user preference with the time period, providing a first result in accordance with the user preference if a request for television functionality is received during the defined time period, and providing a second result if the request for the television functionality is received outside the defined time period.

Abstract: A mast includes a base section, an outer telescopic section and an inner telescopic section which are raised and lowered by a pair of main lift cylinders. A fork carriage is slidably mounted to the inner telescopic section and is raised and lowered thereon by a pair of free lift cylinders. The mast elements are arranged to form two mast columns which produce minimum obstruction to the truck operator's field of view when looking forward through the mast.

Abstract: A new light modulating material using interconnected unidirectionally oriented microdomains of a liquid crystal, dispersed in a stressed polymer structure, is provided. The light modulating material is prepared by dissolving the liquid crystal in an uncured monomer and then curing the monomer so that the polymer forms a well-developed interpenetrating structure of polymer chains or sheets that is uniformly dispersed through the film. When the film is subjected to stress deformation the liquid crystal undergoes a change in its unidirectional orientation. The concentration of the polymer is high enough to hold the shear stress, but is as low as possible to provide the highest switch of the phase retardation when an electric field is applied. The new materials are optically transparent and provide phase modulation of the incident light opposed to the low driving voltage, linear electro-optical response, and absence of hysteresis.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a device that attaches to one or more Light Emitting Diode (LED) light source(s) to transmit and distribute light energy simultaneously across the arches of upper and lower teeth for dental tooth whitening and photo initiation of light curing resins while at the same time retaining the benefits of the light source(s) to be used for individual tooth whitening and curing.

Abstract: In one embodiment of the present invention, a media service system provides at least one transaction configuration option that is enabled to be selected by a user. The media service system implements a transaction process in response to a user selection.

Abstract: An embodiment of the invention is a method of integrated circuit repair that includes removing the top dielectric layer 160 in at least one location using a FIB and etching exposed areas of a top metal layer 171 using a wet chemistry process. This method also includes etching selected portions of one or more dielectric interconnect layers 140, 141 using a FIB, and then using a FIB to either cut a selected portion of a metal interconnect layer 130, 131 or connect a selected portion of a metal interconnect layer 130, 131. Another embodiment of the invention is a method of integrated circuit repair that forms a top dielectric layer 80 over the circuit 10 and then removes the top dielectric layer 80 in at least one location using a FIB. The exposed areas of a top metal layer 70 are etched using a wet chemistry process.

Abstract: A general rule-based technique is provided for generating a test case from an abstract internal test case representation. The abstract internal test case representation is based on a test case representation model that includes application states (state information), external interaction sequences (control flow information) and input data. The abstract representation in essence provides a platform independent representation of test cases. An application object model provides the representational capabilities required for capturing structural and behavioral properties of the application under test. Rules can be specified to define which application states (state information), external interaction sequences (control information) and input data sets should be used in the generation of the test case. Multiple data sets can be created and applied to support data-driven test case generation.

Abstract: A method is provided for forming an alignment layer for a liquid crystal cell that is made from a liquid crystal film that has been irradiated with light. The method includes the steps of disposing a liquid crystal film on a substrate and then irradiating the liquid crystal film with light. Also, a liquid crystal display that includes an alignment layer that is a liquid crystal film that has been irradiated with light.

Abstract: A general technique using semantic analysis is provided that can be used for converting a specific automation test script (and its underlying test case), generated from generally available or proprietary test automation tools, into an abstract test case representation. The abstract test case representation is based on a test case representation model that includes application states (state information), external interaction sequences (control flow information) and input data. The abstract representation in essence provides a platform independent representation of test cases. An application object model provides the representational capabilities required for capturing structural and behavioral properties of the application under test. The abstract test case representation can be validated against and further enriched by specific object information from an application metadata repository.

Abstract: A fingernail pick that is removably attachable to a user's fingernail having a primary string contacting portion, an anchor portion which is shaped to fit comfortably and unobtrusively on top of the fingernail, and a mounting portion. The fingernail pick is held in place either by an adhesive, friction between a slot and a cantilevered portion of fingernail, or by a combination of the two. The fingernail pick may be formed in various sizes and shapes or available in custom sizes and shapes for particular users.

Abstract: Suture separation and organization devices for use in a tissue graft tensioning system. The inventive devices help to separate and organize a plurality of suture strands that extend away from a bone tunnel of a patient's leg during joint repair surgery (e.g., while repairing or replacing the anterior cruciate ligament (“ACL”)). The suture separation and organization device may comprise one or more elongate bodies, or a one-piece body, comprising a plurality of suture retention recesses or protrusions disposed on a perimeter of a body. The suture separation and organization device also includes recesses or passages adapted to receive corresponding posts of a graft tensioning device. In this way, the suture separation and organization device can be removably attached to the graft tensioning device.

Abstract: A suture pulley assembly includes a pulley wheel that is rotatably attached to an adjustable tension applicator used in joint repair surgery (e.g., to repair an ACL) so as to equalize the tensile load that is applied to each side of a looped suture by the adjustable tension applicator. The pulley wheel includes a pair of pulley plates that define a pulley space therebetween into which a looped suture is placed and that are oppositely-biased in order to spread apart and contract in response to differences in size of the looped suture as a result of, e.g., the existence of a knot or half knot. The pulley wheel is rotatably attached to the tension applicator by a post. A spring biases one of the suture pulley plates toward the other in a manner that allows for the aforementioned expansion of the pulley space.

Abstract: A mast includes a base section, an outer telescopic section and an inner telescopic section which are raised and lowered by a pair of main lift cylinders. A fork carriage is slidably mounted to the inner telescopic section and is raised and lowered thereon by a pair of free lift cylinders. The mast elements are arranged to form two mast columns which produce minimum obstruction to the truck operator's field of view when looking forward through the mast.

Abstract: A base leg assembly for lift trucks having a mounting plate, a base leg, and a load wheel assembly. The mounting plate is fastened to the mast structure or body structure of the lift truck and the base leg is fastened to the mounting plate. The base leg has a integrally cast mounting portion and leg portion that have cavities formed therein to reduce the weight of the base leg and to distribute stresses throughout the base leg to avoid stress concentrations. The proximal end of the leg portion extends laterally from the mounting portion and transitions in direction approximately 90 degrees such that the leg portion extends forward of the mounting portion and the lift truck at its distal end. Load wheel plates also have cavities formed therein and are fastened to the distal end of the base leg. Load wheels are disposed between the load wheel plates and are supported therein such that they can rotate.

Abstract: A method for providing television advertising includes receiving user input for selecting an advertising parameter and providing a user with an advertisement corresponding to the advertising parameter.

Abstract: A liquid crystal device comprises ferroelectric particles suspended in a liquid crystal material. A method for fabricating a light-modulating device is also disclosed. The method comprises the steps of providing a pair of substrates with a cell gap therebetween, wherein electrodes are disposed on the facing surfaces of the substrates, and permanently disposing a suspension of ferroelectric particles in a liquid crystal material into said cell gap. A method of generating an image comprises providing a pair of substrates with a cell gap therebetween, providing transparent electrodes on each of said substrates adjacent to the cell gap, permanently disposing a suspension of ferroelectric particles in a liquid crystal material within the cell gap, and applying an electric field across the electrodes.

Abstract: The present invention is a device that attaches to a light source to transmit and distribute light energy to the surface or internal chamber of a tooth for the purpose of photo-initiation of light curing resins and dental tooth whitening. More particularly, the invention may be used with a single or multiple Light Emitting Diode(s) to more efficiently collect and transmit the light energy emitted by the LED(s) resulting in increased total energy, uniform illumination, and collimation of the light energy delivered to the tooth.

Abstract: An electromagnetic radiation conveyance device comprising a proximal end, a distal end, and a light directing intermediate portion. The proximal end is configured for attachment to an electromagnetic radiation emitting device. The distal end is anatomically preformed with a profile complementary to a shape of a dental arch. The light directing intermediate portion is between the proximal end and the distal end. In addition, the light directing intermediate portion is configured to convey electromagnetic radiation from the proximal end to the distal end.