Abstract: A vacuum pick mechanism (100) for picking sheet media comprising control circuitry (126), a pump (110), a suction cup (106), a pick line (112) connecting the pump (110) to the suction cup (106), a pressure sensor (122) arranged to measure the pressure within the pick line (112) and a motor arranged to drive the pump, the control circuitry being arranged to receive the pressure measured by the pressure sensor and to control the motor to drive the pump such that a predetermined target pressure is measured by the pressure sensor.

Abstract: An upgradeable patch panel assembly and associated method of upgrading a patch panel assembly. The upgradeable patch panel assembly including a panel base having an aperture sized to receive a scanner interface cable. The method including removing a first cover from the panel base, inserting a scanner interface cable through the existing aperture in the panel base, and attached an upgraded cover to the panel base. Upgrading the patch panel assembly is completed while the assembly remains mounted to a frame and without disconnecting rear cable connections. The upgraded patch panel assembly provides jack-occupancy monitoring capabilities.

Abstract: This invention relates to the novel proteins, termed INSP108 and INSP109, herein identified as members of the defensin family of proteins and to the use of these proteins and nucleic acid sequences from the encoding genes in the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of disease.

Abstract: Methods and systems for use during laser-scribing of a workpiece are provided. Some of the methods and systems provided use an imaging device to control the formation of a laser-scribed feature so as to more closely align with a previously-formed feature. Some of the methods and systems provided use an imaging device for inspection of a laser-scribed feature and/or process control. Some of the methods and systems provided use an imaging device to detect and avoid a workpiece defect during the formation of a laser-scribed feature.

Abstract: A retraction apparatus and method are provided including slider assemblies for being slidably connected to a retractor body with end portions of the slider assemblies disposed within a central retractor opening. A retractor blade is slidably connected to one of the slider assembly end portions such that the depth of the retractor blade can be readily adjusted. Once the retractor blade is at the desired depth within the incision, a handle is pivoted to a locked position to fix the blade relative to the slider assembly. A cantilever lock between the blade and the slider assembly pivots the blade relative to the slider assembly to fix the blade thereto. In one form, the retractor body has a substantially flat surface configured to be placed adjacent a bone and slide connections which position slider assemblies such that the connected blades avoid contact with the bone during retraction.

Abstract: An instrument and method using electron spin resonance spectrometry for measuring the concentration of airborne soot particles, and the like, that includes continuously passing a sample of exhaust gas through a resonating RF microwave cavity resonator during the application therethrough of a uniform slowly varying uniform magnetic field that is rapidly modulated and measuring the resulting phase modulation or amplitude modulation thereof to derive an electron spin resonance signal that directly senses the concentration of carbon free radicals produced as a result of inefficient combustion of hydrocarbons during operation of the vehicle or boiler. A further invention is the use of this signal for feedback control of the engine or boiler operating parameters to minimize or substantially eliminate particulate matter emissions.

Abstract: An upgradeable patch panel assembly and associated method of upgrading a patch panel assembly. The upgradeable patch panel assembly including a panel base having an aperture sized to receive a scanner interface cable. The method including removing a first cover from the panel base, inserting a scanner interface cable through the existing aperture in the panel base, and attached an upgraded cover to the panel base. Upgrading the patch panel assembly is completed while the assembly remains mounted to a frame and without disconnecting rear cable connections. The upgraded patch panel assembly provides jack-occupancy monitoring capabilities.

Abstract: A method of controlling revelation of one or more metadata items is disclosed. Each of the one or more metadata items is associated with one or more parts of an audio-visual data stream (101). The method comprises: for a given one or more parts (103, 105) of the audio-visual data stream (101), revealing one or more metadata items (113, 115, 117) associated with the given one or more parts (103, 105) of the audio-visual data stream (101) only after the given one or more parts (103, 105) of the audio-visual data stream (101) have been accessed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for extending the linear range of a phase detector. In one embodiment, a limited range phase difference is generated between selected edges of first and second input signals, and an excursion of the limited range phase difference beyond a predetermined threshold is detected. In response to detecting the excursion of the limited range phase difference beyond a threshold, an edge of the first or second input signal is prevented from influencing subsequent generation of the limited range phase difference, and a compensated phase difference is generated, derived from the limited range phase difference and including a correction component which compensates for the effect of preventing said edge from influencing subsequent generation of the limited range phase difference.

Abstract: This invention relates to novel proteins, termed INSP 108 and INSP 109, herein identified as members of the defensin family of proteins and to the use of these proteins and nucleic acid sequences from the encoding genes in the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of disease.

Abstract: A circuit component has an elastically deformable first structure, a second structure, and a support structure coupling the first and second structures, wherein the first structure can be variably deformed in response to a variable force, to provide either a variable capacitor or a variable tank circuit having a variable capacitor and an inductor. In one particular embodiment, a piezoelectric element is laminated to the surface of the first elastically deformable structure thereby providing the capability to deform the first structure. A method of making a circuit component includes forming an elastically deformable first structure, forming a second structure, and joining the first and second structures, to provide either a variable capacitor or a variable tank circuit having a variable capacitor and an inductor.

Abstract: One embodiment of a device to augment the pumping function of a weakened heart. A set of connectors with elastic properties are positioned immediately proximate to the outer surface of the heart. Each of the elastic connectors is attached at one end to a circumferential band firmly attached to the exterior surface of the heart at around the level of the atrioventricular groove, an anatomical feature of the heart. At the other end, each of said elastic connectors is attached to a cap attached firmly to the heart exterior of the heart at the anatomical apex. A mechanism places the elastic connectors alternatively under tension (stretch) then shortening (relaxation). When the elastic connectors are stretched they draw the apex and circumferential band together, resulting in external compression of the heart. This movement causes the internal volume of the cardiac ventricles to be reduced, thereby encouraging expulsion of the blood contents of the ventricles to be expelled.

Abstract: The invention relates to crosslinkable or crosslinked silicone compositions capable of being used to form a water-repellent and release coating for a flexible support made of paper or of polymer, in particular a heat-sensitive flexible support. These compositions are of the type of those comprising crosslinking polyorganosiloxanes carrying SiH units and unsaturated, preferably vinylated, polyorganosiloxanes capable of reacting with the crosslinking agent by polyaddition in the presence of platinum to form the release crosslinked coating on the flexible support. The targeted aim is to make possible the instantaneous crosslinking at low temperature (85-90° C.) of such silicone compositions coated on flexible supports at a very high speed. To achieve this aim, the invention provides for the use of specific crosslinking agents composed of POSs hydrogenated at the chain end and in the chain.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a process for forming small diameter vias at low temperatures. In preferred embodiments, through-substrate vias are fabricated by forming a through-substrate via; and depositing conductive material into the via by means of a flowing solution plating technique, wherein the conductive material releases a gas that pushes the conductive material through the via to facilitate plating the via with the conductive material. In preferred embodiments, the fabrication of the substrate is conducted at low temperatures.

Abstract: This invention relates to novel proteins, termed INSP 108 and INSP 109, herein identified as members of the defensin family of proteins and to the use of these proteins and nucleic acid sequences from the encoding genes in the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of disease.

Abstract: A system for forming at least one pre-selected protective structure includes a predetermined number of elongated generally U-shaped channel members having a first predetermined length and formed from a first pre-selected material. A predetermined number of corner members having a predetermined shape and formed from a second pre-selected material are provided for connecting adjacent ends of a pair of such predetermined number of elongated generally U-shaped channel members together thereby forming at least a portion of a framework for the pre-selected protective structure. There is a predetermined covering member provided having each of a second predetermined length and a predetermined width and formed from a third pre-selected material and a plurality of resilient members having a third predetermined length engageable within such predetermined number of elongated U-shaped channel members for securing the covering member thereto and thereby forming the at least one pre-selected protective structure.

Abstract: An upgradeable patch panel assembly and associated method of upgrading a patch panel assembly. The upgradeable patch panel assembly including a panel base having an aperture sized to receive a scanner interface cable. The method including removing a first cover from the panel base, inserting a scanner interface cable through the existing aperture in the panel base, and attached an upgraded cover to the panel base. Upgrading the patch panel assembly is completed while the assembly remains mounted to a frame and without disconnecting rear cable connections. The upgraded patch panel assembly provides jack-occupancy monitoring capabilities.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for automatically manufacturing a computer. An order is received from a customer. A manufacturing plant assembles together the hardware and software components from stores specified by the order, and loads the software packages onto the computer. A Web page is provided for the customer to specify any software modifications required. Those modifications are recorded as auto-modification files. The auto-modification files and the order details are checked against each other and the manufacturer's current capabilities for consistency by a validation unit. Each auto-modification file in turn is called by the manufacturing control unit, which determines the configuration data corresponding thereto and enters that configuration data into the computer as the software packages are being loaded.

Abstract: A resonator and method of designing a resonator including a cavity having an effective length that exceeds ?/8 such that a standing wave having an anti-node will form in the cavity. First and second necks each having first ends are attached to and in fluid communication with the cavity, the first neck being positioned adjacent the anti-node and thereby operable to interfere with said standing wave.