Abstract: An adjustable link assembly includes a pair of coupling yokes, each having a threaded rod projecting therefrom. First and second lock members projecting from the corresponding first and second yokes. The first and second yokes are threadably coupled to opposite ends of a threaded central body. The body has a central non-cylindrical adjusting portion located between first and second indexing portions. A bracket is slidable over the body. The bracket is rotatable with respect to the body when the bracket is positioned over the indexing portions and being non-rotatably coupled to the body when the bracket is positioned over the central adjusting portion. A lever is pivotally coupled to the bracket so that an end of the lever may be coupled to either of the lock members to prevent rotation of the central body relative to the yokes.

Abstract: A method of making an investment or lost foam casting assembly of a first part movable with respect to a second part includes making first and second separate wax or foam patterns of portions of the first part. Then, a third wax or foam pattern of the second part is made. Next, ceramic core pieces are made. At least one of the core pieces is mounted on the first pattern to form a subassembly. The subassembly is combined with the third pattern so that the core pieces maintain a separation between the third pattern and the first pattern. The first and second patterns are bonded together to trap the subassembly and to form a complete casting assembly.

Abstract: A coupling mechanism for a work vehicle includes a coupler frame for mounting to the work vehicle and a pair of dual hook members mountable on the frame. Each dual hook member has a body with first and second hooks projecting from opposite ends the body. The ends of the body define a body plane extending therebetween. The first and second hooks project on the same side of the body plane. Each hook forms a coupling recess, and each of the recesses opens away from the body plane. The first hook is smaller than the second hook. The dual hook member is mountable in a first orientation wherein the first hook is in an operative position and is mountable in a second orientation wherein the second hook is in an operative position.

Abstract: An implement quick coupling mechanism for a work vehicle includes a frame having a cross member and left and right side members projecting from the cross member. The cross member and side members have mounting parts which permit different implement coupling parts to be mounted thereon. A first set of hook members having a first type of dimensional characteristics may be mounted on the frame to form a first category of coupling mechanism. A second set of coupling members having a second type of dimensional characteristics may be mounted on the frame to form a second category of coupling mechanism.

Abstract: A novel critical supplementary apparatus, when used in conjuction with U.S. Pat. No. 6,533,673, collectively completes the sphere of practical operation of a convexo-concave bowling ball retrieving device that captures, guides, lifts and deposits in one smooth continuous flowing motion a bowling ball for subsequent discharge into a bowling ball return. U.S. Pat. No. 6,533,673 addresses the inherent lack of friction problems found in Brunswick automatic pinsetter bowling machines, models A and A2 but is unable to comply with a similar problematic lack of friction situation found in the remainder of Brunswick product line—models Factory A2 and the Jetback. The models Factory A2 and Jetback don't have adaquite clearance between the bowling ball retrieving device 1 that is mounted on the rotating ball return wheel 6 (as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,533,673) and the 1 HP motor mount shaft 19.

Abstract: An implement quick coupling mechanism for a work vehicle includes a frame having a cross member and left and right side members projecting from the cross memeber. The cross member and side members have mounting parts which permit different implement coupling parts to be mounted thereon. A first set of hook members having a first type of dimensional characteristics may be mounted on the fram to form a first category of coupling mechanism. A second set of coupling members having a second type of dimensional characteristics may be mounted on the frame to form a second category of coupling mechanism.

Abstract: Methods, systems and computer program products are provided for evaluating network performance. A path of a communication connection between a first node and a second node is determined. The path includes at least one connecting node. A first set of network performance data associated with the communication connection is obtained. Ones of a plurality of diagnostic rules is automatically evaluated based on the obtained first set of network performance data to identify a second set of network performance data to be collected.

Abstract: Methods, systems and computer program products are provided for monitoring a task executing on a data processing system, the task having an associated work in process queue and an associated work pending queue. The task is configured to properly execute requests that are terminated in progress and restarted from an initial start point. A watchdog task determines if the task is executing properly and restarts the task if it is not executing properly. Restarting is provided by placing requests in the work in process queue of the terminated task in the work pending queue and clearing the work in process queue. Execution by the task of requests from the work pending queue is then reinitiated.

Abstract: Methods, systems and computer program products are provided for evaluating performance of a network that supports packetized communications. A network test protocol that is associated with the packetized communication is initiated and network performance data is obtained based on the initiated network test protocol. An overall network quality rating is generated based on the obtained performance data and a network impairment indicator is calculated based on the overall network quality rating.

Abstract: Methods, systems and computer program products are provided which coordinate operations for a plurality of interrelated tasks executing on a computer using actual state objects and desired state objects. For each event including coordination between two of the plurality of interrelated tasks, a first (or initiator) task initiates operations by a second (or executor) task to carry out a desired sequence of operations. The initiator task sets a desired state object to the desired state and submits a request to the executor task. The executor task, in turn, operates on the request in order to update an actual state object to the desired state stored in the desired state object by the initiator task. Write control over the desired state object is therefore granted to the initiator task while write control over the actual state object is granted to the executor task.

Abstract: Methods, systems and computer program products are provided for testing a network that supports packetized voice communications. Execution of a network test protocol associated with the packetized voice communications is initiated and obtained performance data for the network based on the initiated network test protocol is automatically received. The obtained performance data is mapped to terms of an overall transmission quality rating. The overall transmission quality rating is generated based on the mapped obtained performance data.

Abstract: Methods, systems and computer program products are provided for synchronizing clocks in a computer network. A first node clock is synchronized to a second node clock by establishing an initial value of a virtual second node clock at the first node. The initial value may be established based on the first node clock and a timing record received from the second node. A frequency bias adjustment factor is determined for the virtual second node clock based on a plurality of clock requests from the first node and a plurality of corresponding responses from the second node spaced apart in time. The responses from the second node include the timing record based on the second node clock. A time of the virtual second node clock is provided based on the frequency bias adjustment factor responsive to requests for the virtual second node clock at a time between requests.

Abstract: Methods, systems and computer program products are provided which test network performance by defining test schedules including test protocols to be implemented and when the protocols should be executed for a plurality of defined connections on a network. A connection may be defined between two endpoint nodes on the network. At times specified in the test schedule, the endpoint node pair executes the test protocol and measures the performance of the network connection between the two nodes without requiring any involvement of application software which may or may not be installed on the computer hardware supporting the endpoint node. The test protocol may define the type of network layer protocol to utilize (for example, TCP), and the test script or scripts to be communicated using the appropriate stack on the computer hardware supporting the endpoint node.

Abstract: A method of and system for detecting glue skips on tipping paper used to secure filters to cigarette tobacco rods and the rejection of defective cigarettes based thereon in which a particle radiation sensor is used to monitor the amount of glue applied to the tipping paper and a laser edge detector is used to monitor for proper alignment of the tipping paper during cigarette tipping operations in a typical cigarette manufacturing machine. The signals output from the particle radiation sensor are fed to a skip detection system which produces an output signal upon detecting a glue skip or a loss of glue.

Abstract: The current invention provides methods for increasing the concentration of nitric oxide (NO) in vascular endothelial cells, comprising administering a compound of formula I ##STR1## Wherein: R is hydrogen, --OH, --O(C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl), --OCO(C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl), or --OCOAr where Ar is a phenyl or optionally substituted phenyl;R.sub.1 is R, --C.sub.1, or --F;R.sub.2 is 1-pyrrolidinyl, 1-piperidinyl, or 1-hexamethyleneimino;or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate thereof.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of water soluble camptothecin analogs, including methods for the preparation of intermediates thereof, and the compounds prepared by said process. Water soluble camptothecin analogs are prepared which may be used for inhibiting the growth of tumor cells sensitive to such analogs.

Abstract: An aid for teaching students to read, comprising sound letters formed from standard English alphabet letters, each sound letter corresponding to a single sound most commonly associated with a particular alphabetic letter or combination of alphabetic letters of said standard alphabet, each said sound letter characterized as having a front, a back, a top, a bottom, a left side and a right side, said sound letters adapted for arrangement in a visually associated, juxtaposed relationship to form combinations of said sound letters so that students are able to read said combinations of said sound letters phonetically.

Abstract: A circulating-air, woodburning, heating stove/fireplace combination has a combustion chamber for burning fuel. The back of the stove has an inner wall defining the combustion chamber and a spaced outer back wall forming an air chamber between the two walls. An air inlet is provided at the bottom of the air chamber, and an electric fan or blower is attached to the inlet to force air into the space between the walls at the bottom. This air then passes upwardly in the airspace between the back walls and exits through several parallel heat tubes which extend across the top of the fire chamber. These heat tubes open at the front of the stove, so that the air forced through the airspace by the fan is moved into the room. A baffle is provided above the heat tubes to create turbulence in the combustion products for improving the heat exchange of these products with the air moving through the heat tubes prior to the discharge of the combustion products through a flue located in the top of the stove.

Abstract: Spray coating apparatus featuring an improved solenoid valve construction in which response time of the valve actuation is improved by a free-traveling armature. The armature which is unrestrained by spring or other means has an annular shoulder portion which is engageable with an enlarged head portion of the pilot member of the valve. When the pilot is in its seated position, the dimensions of the valve are such that the armature must travel a short distance before its shoulder will impact against the pilot head thus allowing kinetic energy to build up as the armature travel is initiated by coil energization which enables the armature to effectively snap open the pilot upon impact despite spring and high fluid pressure resistance.