Abstract: A system and method for dynamic modification and generation of data is described. One embodiment includes an annotation server that is connected to a user and a content provider. The annotation server is configured to modify a copy of an enterprise's stored Web content without necessarily modifying the actual stored Web content. The annotation server then provides the modified content to the user for viewing or other use.

Abstract: Method for producing metallic nanoparticles. The method includes generating an aerosol of solid metallic microparticles, generating non-oxidizing plasma with a plasma hot zone at a temperature sufficiently high to vaporize the microparticles into metal vapor, and directing the aerosol into the hot zone of the plasma. The microparticles vaporize in the hot zone to metal vapor. The metal vapor is directed away from the hot zone and to the plasma afterglow where it cools and condenses to form solid metallic nanoparticles.

Abstract: Method for producing metal oxide nanoparticles. The method includes generating an aerosol of solid metallic microparticles, generating plasma with a plasma hot zone at a temperature sufficiently high to vaporize the microparticles into metal vapor, and directing the aerosol into the hot zone of the plasma. The microparticles vaporize in the hot zone into metal vapor. The metal vapor is directed away from the hot zone and into the cooler plasma afterglow where it oxidizes, cools and condenses to form solid metal oxide nanoparticles.

Abstract: Spherical and polyhedral particles of boron nitride and method of preparing them. Spherical and polyhedral particles of boron nitride are produced from precursor particles of hexagonal phase boron nitride suspended in an aerosol gas. The aerosol is directed to a microwave plasma torch. The torch generates plasma at atmospheric pressure that includes nitrogen atoms. The presence of nitrogen atoms is critical in allowing boron nitride to melt at atmospheric pressure while avoiding or at least minimizing decomposition. The plasma includes a plasma hot zone, which is a portion of the plasma that has a temperature sufficiently high to melt hexagonal phase boron nitride. In the hot zone, the precursor particles melt to form molten particles that acquire spherical and polyhedral shapes. These molten particles exit the hot zone, cool, and solidify to form solid particles of boron nitride with spherical and polyhedral shapes.

Abstract: Method for producing metallic particles. The method converts metallic nanoparticles into larger, spherical metallic particles. An aerosol of solid metallic nanoparticles and a non-oxidizing plasma having a portion sufficiently hot to melt the nanoparticles are generated. The aerosol is directed into the plasma where the metallic nanoparticles melt, collide, join, and spheroidize. The molten spherical metallic particles are directed away from the plasma and enter the afterglow where they cool and solidify.

Abstract: The present application relates to a functional assay for high-throughput screening and identification of plant genes involved in xylogenesis and secondary cell wall formation. The assay involves transforming Zinnia mesophyll cells in vitro under non-inducing or transdifferentiation-inducing conditions with DNA constructs comprising one or more polynucleotide sequences toa be tested and comparing the expression of the sequences in the non-induced and transdifferentiating cells. The assay is particularly useful for identifying promoters that are active in xylem and xylem-forming tissues and their transcriptional regulators.

Abstract: Spherical and polyhedral particles of boron nitride and method of preparing them. Spherical and polyhedral particles of boron nitride are produced from precursor particles of hexagonal phase boron nitride suspended in an aerosol gas. The aerosol is directed to a microwave plasma torch. The torch generates plasma at atmospheric pressure that includes nitrogen atoms. The presence of nitrogen atoms is critical in allowing boron nitride to melt at atmospheric pressure while avoiding or at least minimizing decomposition. The plasma includes a plasma hot zone, which is a portion of the plasma that has a temperature sufficiently high to melt hexagonal phase boron nitride. In the hot zone, the precursor particles melt to form molten particles that acquire spherical and polyhedral shapes. These molten particles exit the hot zone, cool, and solidify to form solid particles of boron nitride with spherical and polyhedral shapes.

Abstract: A system and method for displaying content in a browser window associated with an end-user is described. In one embodiment, content that corresponds to a navigation location is retrieved. This content includes an embedded navigation link that can be extracted and encoded. Next, the embedded navigation link can be replaced by the encoded navigation link. Finally, the retrieved content, including the encoded navigation link, can be provided to the browser.

Abstract: An intramedullary nail (20) and related method for fixing a fracture in a long bone. The nail (20) comprises an elongate member (22) having a longitudinal axis (54), a proximal end section (32), a distal end section (34) and a solid central section (24) extending between the proximal and distal end sections (32, 34). The proximal and distal end sections (32, 34) respectively include proximal and distal fastener receiving areas (28, 30) of greater cross sectional dimensions than the central section (24). Each fastener receiving area (28, 30) includes at least one hole (50, 52) extending transverse to the longitudinal axis for receiving a cross fastener (110) adapted to secure to the bone on opposite sides of the elongate member (22). The proximal and distal end sections (32, 34) thereby provide rigid anchoring locations relative to the central section (24) and the central section provides flexibility to promote healing of the fracture.

Abstract: A method for generating spherical and irregularly shaped dense particles of ceramic oxides having a controlled particle size and particle size distribution. An aerosol containing precursor particles of oxide ceramics is directed into a plasma. As the particles flow through the hot zone of the plasma, they melt, collide, and join to form larger particles. If these larger particles remain in the hot zone, they continue melting and acquire a spherical shape that is retained after they exit the hot zone, cool down, and solidify. If they exit the hot zone before melting completely, their irregular shape persists and agglomerates are produced. The size and size distribution of the dense product particles can be controlled by adjusting several parameters, the most important in the case of powder precursors appears to be the density of powder in the aerosol stream that enters the plasma hot zone.

Abstract: The invention provides a crank assembly for a chain driven mechanism such as a bicycle. The crank assembly has at one end of a crank arm, a journal adapted for engagement with an axle. The axle has at its other end a connection. The one end of the crank arm has mounted thereon a housing via a unidirectional variable clutch, the housing having an extension to which, in use, an activation means such as a brake cable or cables is/are attached. The arrangement is such that during normal forward rotation the crank arm moves normally and the housing is stationary relative thereto, while during back or reverse movement of the crank arm the housing moves to activate the brake cable or cable means.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for releasing energy from hydrogen atoms (molecules) by stimulating their electrons to relax to quantized lower energy levels and smaller radii (smaller semimajor and semiminor axes) than the "ground state" by providing energy sinks or means to remove energy resonant with the hydrogen energy released to stimulate these transitions. An energy sink, energy hole, can be provided by the transfer of at least one electron between participating species including atoms, ions, molecules, and ionic and molecular compounds. In one embodiment, the energy hole comprises the transfer of t electrons from one or more donating species to one or more accepting species whereby the sum of the ionization energies and/or electron affinities of the electron donating species minus the sum of the ionization energies and/or electron affinities of the electron accepting species equals approximately mX27.21 eV (mX48.6 eV) for atomic (molecular) hydrogen below "ground state" transitions where m and t are integers.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of producing catalytic materials which comprises passing an aerosol comprising a mixture of metal powder and support through a plasma torch.

Abstract: Liquid crystal compounds have been synthesized of general formula (I) and may be mixed with other liquid crystal compounds to give useful liquid crystal mixtures which may then be used in liquid crystal devices. Such devices include linear and non-linear electrical, optical and electro-optical devices, magneto-optical devices and devices providing responses to stimuli such as temperature changes and total or partial pressure changes. Formula (I) where each Z.sub.1-6 is given by formula (II), where Y for each of Z.sub.1-6 is independently COO, OCO, CH.sub.2 O and OCH.sub.2, m defines the number of substituents on each of Z.sub.1-6 and is independently 0-5,and X is independently for each substituent on each of Z.sub.1-6 alkyl (straight chain, branched and chiral), alkoxy (straight chain, branched or chiral), alkanoyl (straight chain, branched or chiral), alkenyl (straight chain, branched or chiral), halogen, halogenoalkyl (straight chain, branched or chiral) and CN, provided that at least one of Z.sub.