Abstract: A method for preparing a polymer-organoclay composite composition comprises combining a solvent and an unexfoliated organoclay to provide a first mixture, wherein the unexfoliated organoclay comprises alternating inorganic silicate layers and organic layers, and has an initial spacing between the silicate layers; exposing the first mixture to an energized condition of a sufficient intensity and duration to increase the initial spacing of the inorganic silicate layers, to provide a second mixture; contacting the second mixture with a polymer composition so that the polymer composition fills at least one region located between at least one pair of silicate layers, wherein the polymer composition is at least partially soluble in the solvent; and removing at least a portion of the solvent from the second mixture, wherein the inorganic silicate layers remain separated by the polymer after removal of the solvent.

Abstract: Methods and systems for testing an integrated circuit during an assembly process are described. The integrated circuit is received from inventory. The integrated circuit is placed in a socket on a first circuit board for system-level testing. The system-level testing is performed prior to placement and permanent attachment of the integrated circuit onto a second circuit board. Provided the integrated circuit passes the system-level testing, the placement and permanent attachment of the integrated circuit to the second circuit board is the next step following the system-level testing in the assembly process.

Abstract: This invention relates to organic salt compositions useful in the preparation of organoclay compositions, polymer-organoclay composite compositions, and methods for the preparation of polymer nanocomposites. In one embodiment, the present invention provides a polymer-organoclay composite composition comprising (a) a polymeric resin; and (b) an organoclay composition comprising alternating inorganic silicate layers and organic layers, said organic layers comprising a quaternary phosphonium cation having structure XXXIII wherein Ar12, Ar13, Ar14 and Ar15 are independently C2-C50 aromatic radicals; and Ar16 is a C2-C200 aromatic radical, or a polymer chain comprising at least one aromatic group.

Abstract: This invention relates to organic salt compositions useful in the preparation of organoclay compositions, polymer-organoclay composite compositions, and methods for the preparation of polymer nanocomposites. In one embodiment, the present invention provides an organoclay composition comprising alternating inorganic silicate layers and organic layers, said organic layers comprising a quaternary phosphonium cation having structure X wherein Ar1, Ar2, and Ar3 are independently C2-C50 aromatic radicals; Ar4 is a bond or a C2-C50 aromatic radical; “a” is a number from 1 to about 200; “c” is a number from 0 to 3; R1 is independently at each occurrence a halogen atom, a C1-C20 aliphatic radical, a C5-C20 cycloaliphatic radical, or a C2-C20 aromatic radical; and R2 is a halogen atom, a C1-C20 aliphatic radical, a C5-C20 cycloaliphatic radical, a C2-C50 aromatic radical, or a polymer chain.

Abstract: This invention relates to organic salt compositions useful in the preparation of organoclay compositions, polymer-organoclay composite compositions, and methods for the preparation of polymer nanocomposites. In one embodiment, the present invention provides a method of making a polymer-organoclay composite composition, said method comprising melt mixing a quaternary organoclay composition comprising alternating inorganic silicate layers and organic layers, said organic layers comprising a quaternary organic cation with a polymeric resin comprising at least one polymer selected from the group consisting of polyamides, polyesters, polyarylene sulfides, polyarylene ethers, polyether sulfones, polyether ketones, polyether ether ketones, polyphenylenes, and polycarbonates, said polymeric resin being substantially free of polyetherimides; said melt mixing being carried out at a temperature in a range between about 300° C. and about 450° C.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention provides a method of making a polymer-organoclay composite composition comprising (a) contacting under condensation polymerization conditions a first monomer, a second monomer, a solvent, and an organoclay composition, said organoclay composition comprising alternating inorganic silicate layers and organic layers, to provide a first polymerization reaction mixture, wherein one of said first monomer and second monomers is a diamine and the other is an dianhydride; (b) carrying out a stoichiometry verification step on the first polymerization reaction mixture; (c) optionally adding additional reactant (monomer 1, monomer 2, or chainstopper) to the first polymerization reaction mixture to provide a second polymerization reaction mixture; and (d) removing solvent from the first polymerization reaction mixture or the second polymerization reaction mixture to provide a first polymer-organoclay composite composition comprising a polymer component and an organoclay component w

Abstract: A method and system for controlling downshifting in an automated mechanical transmission system (10) utilized on a vehicle. When an automatic power downshift from a currently engaged ratio (GR) is required, the engine acceleration (EA) is monitored and compared with an engine free acceleration (EFA) to detect a false Neutral condition and to take appropriate action accordingly. Alternatively, a false Neutral condition is detected when the Absolute Value of the rotational speed of the output shaft (OS) times the currently engaged gear ratio (GR) minus the rotational speed of the input shaft (IS) is less than a predetermined value (ABS((OS*GR)?IS)).

Abstract: This invention is related to a method for making diether dianhydrides by the reaction of halophthalic anhydride and a metal salt of an aromatic dihydroxy compound in the presence of a solvent and a phase transfer catalyst. Typical phase transfer catalyst include guanidium salts, aminopyridinium salts, or phosphazenium salts.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of manufacturing a data storage media comprising mixing a photoactive material, a photosensitizer and an organic binder material to form a holographic composition, wherein the photoactive material undergoes a change in color upon reaction with the photosensitizer; and molding the holographic composition into holographic data storage media. Disclosed herein too is a method for recording information comprising irradiating an article that comprises a photoactive material; a photosensitizer and an organic polymer, wherein the irridation is conducted with electromagnetic energy having a wavelength of about 350 to about 1,100 nanometers, wherein the photoactive material can undergo a change in color upon reaction with the photosensitizer; and reacting the photoactive material to record data in holographic form.

Abstract: The present invention provides the complete genomic sequence of a novel human coronavirus, coined as human coronavirus-HKU1 (“HCoV-HKU1”), isolated in Hong Kong. The virus belongs to the order Nidovirales of the family Coronaviridae, being a single-stranded RNA virus of positive polarity. Futher study on nasopharyngeal aspirates from patients with community-acquired pnbeumonia has revealed that there are two genotypes, genotype A and genotype B, for this virus. In addition to the genomic sequences of these two genotypes, the invention provides the deduced amino acid sequences of the complete genome of the CoV-HKU1. The nucleotide sequences and deduced amino acid sequences of the HCoV-HKU1 are useful in preventing, diagnosing and/or treating the infection by HCoV-HKU1. Furthermore, the invention provides immunogenic and vaccine preparations using recombinant and chimeric forms as well as subunits of the HCoV-HKU1 based on the nucleotide sequences and deduced amino acid sequences of the HCoV-HKU1.

Abstract: The present invention provides the complete genomic sequence of a novel human coronavirus, coined as coronavirus-HKU1 (“CoV-HKU1”), isolated in Hong Kong from a patient who had a recent history of visit to Schenzhen, China. The virus belongs to the order Nidovirales of the family Coronaviridae, being a single-stranded RNA virus of positive polarity. The invention also provides the deduced amino acid sequences of the complete genome of the CoV-HKU1. The nucleotide sequences and deduced amino acid sequences of the CoV-HKU1 are useful in preventing, diagnosing and/or treating the infection by CoV-HKU1. Furthermore, the invention provides immunogenic and vaccine preparations using recombinant and chimeric forms as well as subunits of the CoV-HKU1 based on the nucleotide sequences and deduced amino acid sequences of the CoV-HKU1.

Abstract: The computer system operates a plurality of display devices 100 and 102. Such a computer system has at least a first video adapter 203 with a first video BIOS and a second video adapter 207 with a second video BIOS. A system BIOS identifies one of the first and second video adapters 203, 207 as a primary video adapter and the other of the first and second video adapters 203, 207 as a secondary video adapter. During POST, the system BIOS stores the first video BIOS in a first memory area 210 in a system memory 212 of the computer. The system BIOS or Video BIOS then copies the first video BIOS to a second memory area 214 in the system memory 212 when the first video adapter 203 is the secondary video adapter. The system BIOS POSTs the second video BIOS when the second video adapter 207 is the primary video adapter, and stores the second video BIOS in the first memory area 210. This then causes the first video BIOS in the first memory area 210 to be overwritten by the second video BIOS.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition useful for the treatment of diseases associated with viruses of the order Nidovirales of the family Coronaviradae, such as Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) viruses in humans and other animals. In particular, this invention relates to a naturally occurring compound, namely, baicalin, extracted and purified from the Chinese medicinal plant Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi (Chinese name: Huang Qin), that exhibits potent antiviral activity against members of the order Nidovirales of the family Coronaviradae that infects humans and other animals; in particular, SARS viruses in humans (“hSARS virus”). The invention also relates to a therapeutic method, using pharmaceutical compositions comprising baicalin compounds, for the treatment, amelioration, management or prevention of diseases associated with members of the order Nidovirales of the family Coronaviradae, such as hSARS.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a high-throughput diagnostic assay for the virus causing Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) in humans (“hSARS virus”). In particular, the invention relates to a high-throughput reverse transcription-PCR diagnostic test for SARS associated coronavirus (SARS-CoV). The present assay is a rapid, reliable assay which can be used for diagnosis and monitoring the spread of SARS and is based on the nucleotide sequences of the N (nucleocapsid)-gene of the hSARS virus. The present method eliminates false negative results and provides increased sensitivity for the assay. The invention also discloses the S (spike)-gene of the hSARS virus. The invention further relates to the deduced amino acid sequences of the N-gene and S-gene products of the hSARS virus and to the use of the N-gene and S-gene products in diagnostic methods. The invention further encompasses diagnostic assays and kits comprising antibodies generated against the N-gene or S-gene product.

Abstract: Holographic storage media including a substrate and a dye material capable of undergoing a photo-induced change are disclosed. Data may be written into the holographic storage media using light of one wavelength and read using light of a different wavelength.

Abstract: A learn-and-play programming method, for controlling a mechanical movement of an output shaft of a motorized toy and a domestic appliance, includes the steps of: learning the mechanical movement of the output shaft by inputting a movement data into the operation system corresponding to the mechanical movement of the output shaft and storing the movement data of the output shaft in a memorizing means; and reproducing the mechanical movement of the output shaft corresponding to the movement data in the memorizing means. Therefore, the operation system is executed through the learning program to repeatedly control the mechanical movement of the output shaft.

Abstract: A technique for end-to-end admission control of real-time packet flows is disclosed. In one particular exemplary embodiment, the technique may be realized as a method for end-to-end admission control of real-time packet flows in a network having a plurality of network elements. The method may comprise transmitting at least one probe packet from a first network element to a second network element via a network path, determining, at at least one intermediate network element on the network path, at least one flow rate associated with a plurality of packets, marking at least one predetermined bit in the at least one probe packet if the at least one flow rate is greater than a predetermined rate, and controlling an admission of additional packets into the network based at least in part on the marking of the at least one predetermined bit in the at least one probe packet.

Abstract: A brushing attachment for an electric toothbrush includes an elongate neck, a head at an end of the neck, a tuft block located at the head and having bristles parallel to an axis extending in a direction substantially normal to the neck. The tuft block is mounted to the head so as to be movable linearly along the axis and pivotally about the axis. There is a recess in the tuft block facing toward the neck. A driveshaft extends through the neck and has and angularly offset arm received within the recess to effect movement of the tuft block.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a diagnostic assay for the virus causing Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) in humans (“hSARS virus”). In particular, the invention relates to a real-time quantitative PCR assay for the detection of hSARS virus using reverse transcription and polymerase chain reaction. Specifically, the quantitative assay is a TaqMan® assay using the primers and probes constructed based on the genome of the hSARS virus. The invention further relates to a diagnostic kit that comprises nucleic acid molecules for the detection of the hSARS virus.

Abstract: A billing data extraction and processing system for use in connection with a first billing system and a second billing system is disclosed. The billing data extraction and processing system includes a first input to receive rated billing data from the first billing system, a second input to receive rated billing data from the second billing system, and a data processing module, the data processing module responsive to the first input and to the second input, the data processing module processing the aggregated data extracted from at least one of the first and the second billing system. A first set of aggregated billing data at a first point in a billing period of the first billing system and a second set of aggregated billing data at a second point in the billing period of the first billing system are extracted and received at the first input.