Abstract: Techniques for managing databases include registering multiple databases at a community server. Each database is controlled by a different party. The community server is accessible over a first network to which one or more users from each party have access. Each database is installed on a different network than the first network. The community server receives from a user over the first network a request to perform a management operation relating to a particular database that is controlled by a particular party. The community server determines that the particular database is registered and determines whether the user is authorized to perform the management operation. If the user is authorized, then the community server causes the management operation to be performed. With these techniques, one or more database devices, such as database appliances, can be managed over the Internet with a browser, at least for many common database management functions.

Abstract: Isothermal semiconductor(s) forming a conductive bridge at the two junctions of the of a thermoelectric circuit legs are used to produce an increase the Seebeck coefficient of the circuit. For the circuit legs, a p- and n-type semiconductor pair is preferred in which the valence and conduction bands of the n-type are higher in energy (i.e. having a lower electron affinity) than those of the p-type leg. The isothermal semiconductor may be either p- or n-type. If it is n-type, its conduction band lies below (i.e. having a higher electron affinity) that of the n-type leg, and if it is a p-type material, its valence band lies above (i.e. having a lower electron affinity) that of the p-type leg. This arrangement results in an increase thermal conversion efficiency in comparison to the corresponding TE circuit that does not have the isothermal semiconductor present.

Abstract: The invention is drawn to silane copolymers prepared from the reaction of one or more polyisocyanates with one or more lubricious polymers having at least two functional groups, which may be the same or different, that are reactive with an isocyanate functional group and with one or more organo-functional silanes having at least two functional groups, which may be the same or different, that are reactive with an isocyanate functional group and at least one functional group reactive with a silicone rubber substrate. The silane copolymer coatings of the invention are elastic, lubricious, and resist wet abrasion. They are useful as coatings for polysiloxane (rubber) and other difficult to coat substrates, especially for medical devices, such catheters.

Abstract: In the invention, a collection device includes a flow through micro scale plate arranged to collect analyte. The plate includes holes, and sorbent coating on contact surfaces of the plate. The holes pass analyte fluid flow, for example analyte vapor so that fluid flow for collection may be generally perpendicular to the sorbent plate. Preferred embodiment plates include an integrated heater trace. In preferred embodiments, a high substantially perpendicular flow is used for collection and concentration, and during desorption and delivery a low substantially parallel flow is used. The low flow is selected to meet constraints of a detector system.

Abstract: An apparatus for applying stretch film to goods on a pallet. It uses a basic core holder to hold a roll of stretch film which has an adjustable braking mechanism. In addition, the apparatus, which is portable, is ergonomically correct, easy to use, and has a pair of pre-stretch rollers which allow the stretch film to be pulled to increase its elasticity, thereby securing goods effectively on a pallet.

Abstract: An aerosolization apparatus comprises a container containing a pharmaceutical formulation, the pharmaceutical formulation comprising an active agent and a propellant. The aerosolization apparatus further comprises a metering chamber in communication with the container, the metering chamber adapted to hold a metered amount of the pharmaceutical formulation, a valve to allow the metered amount of the pharmaceutical formulation to be released from the metering chamber when the valve is actuated, and a pressurizer that applies pressure to the pharmaceutical formulation in the metering chamber while the pharmaceutical formulation is being released from the metering chamber. In one version, the metering chamber is sized so that at least 2 mg, and preferably at least 5 mg, of the active agent is be aerosolized for delivery to a user during inhalation.

Abstract: An apparatus for applying stretch film to goods on a pallet. It uses a basic core holder to hold a roll of stretch film which has an adjustable braking mechanism. In addition, the apparatus, which is portable, is ergonomically correct, easy to use, and has a pair of pre-stretch rollers which allow the stretch film to be pulled to increase its elasticity, thereby securing goods effectively on a pallet.

Abstract: The invention is drawn to silane copolymers prepared from the reaction of one or more polyisocyanates with one or more lubricious polymers having at least two functional groups, which may be the same or different, that are reactive with an isocyanate functional group and with one or more organo-functional silanes having at least two functional groups, which may be the same or different, that are reactive with an isocyanate functional group and at least one functional group reactive with a silicone rubber substrate. The silane copolymers of the invention can be used as coatings that are elastic when dry, lubricious when wet, and resist wet abrasion. These copolymers are useful as coatings for polysiloxane (rubber) and other difficult to coat substrates, especially for medical devices, such as catheters. These silane copolymers can contain active agents such as antimicrobials, pharmaceuticals, herbicides, insecticides, algaecides, antifoulants, and antifogging agents.

Abstract: The invention is drawn to silane copolymers prepared from the reaction of one or more polyisocyanates with one or more lubricious polymers having at least two functional groups, which may be the same or different, that are reactive with an isocyanate functional group and with one or more organo-functional silanes having at least two functional groups, which may be the same or different, that are reactive with an isocyanate functional group and at least one functional group reactive with a silicone rubber substrate. The silane copolymers of the invention can be used as coatings that are elastic when dry, lubricious when wet, and resist wet abrasion. These copolymers are useful as coatings for polysiloxane (rubber) and other difficult to coat substrates, especially for medical devices, such as catheters. These silane copolymers can contain active agents such as antimicrobials, pharmaceuticals, herbicides, insecticides, algaecides, antifoulants, and antifogging agents.

Abstract: The invention is drawn to silane copolymers prepared from the reaction of one or more polyisocyanates with one or more lubricious polymers having at least two functional groups, which may be the same or different, that are reactive with an isocyanate functional group and with one or more organo-functional silanes having at least two functional groups, which may be the same or different, that are reactive with an isocyanate functional group and at least one functional group reactive with a silicone rubber substrate. The silane copolymer coatings of the invention are elastic, lubricious, and resist wet abrasion. They are useful as coatings for polysiloxane (rubber) and other difficult to coat substrates, especially for medical devices, such catheters.

Abstract: A method of forming and inserting filter elements into cup-shaped containers comprises the steps of: a) folding a continuous web of filter material into two adjacent plies which have separable upper edges and are joined one to the other along a bottom fold line; b) blanking the adjacent plies to form their upper edges into a scalloped pattern; c) inserting carrier mandrels between the adjacent plies; d) joining the adjacent plies along seams extending transversely with respect to the bottom fold line to form a series of collapsed frustoconical filter elements interconnected by scrap segments and supported internally by the carrier mandrels; e) separating the filter elements one from the other by blanking and removing the scrap segments; f) transferring the filter elements from the carrier mandrels into cup-shaped containers arranged therebeneath; and g) securing the thus inserted filter elements to interior surfaces of the cup-shaped containers.

Abstract: The invention is drawn to silane copolymers prepared from the reaction of one or more polyisocyanates with one or more lubricious polymers having at least two functional groups, which may be the same or different, that are reactive with an isocyanate functional group and with one or more organo-functional silanes having at least two functional groups, which may be the same or different, that are reactive with an isocyanate functional group and at least one functional group reactive with a silicone rubber substrate. The silane copolymer coatings of the invention are elastic, lubricious, and resist wet abrasion. They are useful as coatings for polysiloxane (rubber) and other difficult to coat substrates, especially for medical devices, such catheters.

Abstract: An arrangement (10) for mounting a night vision enhancement system to a vehicle (1010). The invention is adapted for use with a night vision enhancement system having an infrared camera (14) and a display (587). In the preferred embodiment, the invention (10) includes a mounting mechanism (16) disposed at a front end of said vehicle (1010) for retaining the camera (14). Optionally, a door (42) is included for protecting the camera (14). The door (42) is actuated on command between open and closed positions by a solenoid (44) attached to the frame of the vehicle on one end and to a linkage (48, 49) on the other. The linkage (48, 49) allows the door (42) to pivot in response to the movement of the solenoid plunger (45). The camera (14) is retained in an upside down orientation by a bracket (16) which is attached to the frame of the vehicle.

Abstract: An assembly for mounting a focal plane array. The assembly includes a fixture of thermally conductive material having a first substantially planar surface and a second surface. The fixture is attached to the focal plane array at the first surface and to a frame of a housing at the second surface thereof. In a specific embodiment, the assembly further includes a mechanism for aligning the fixture, with the attached array, to the frame and at least one flexible connector for electrically connecting the focal plane array to a circuit board disposed within the housing. In the illustrative embodiment, the alignment mechanism includes a clocking slot in the second surface of the fixture which is adapted to engage a protrusion on the frame.