Abstract: A continuously variable transmission or clutch device (10) includes at least one pulley (18) rotatable on a pivot (28) and having a pair of adjustable sheaves (30, 34) including a movable sheave (30) movable along the pivot. An ortho-planar compliant mechanism (14) is capable of elastic deformation and operatively coupled to the movable sheave to bias the movable sheave towards or away from the other sheave. The ortho-planar compliant mechanism includes a substantially flat configuration and is deflectable therefrom as the movable sheave moves. The ortho-planar compliant mechanism can include a center platform (38) disposed on the pivot and a plurality of arms (42) extending from the platform to distal ends (46) coupled to the movable sheave.

Abstract: The present invention provides isolated bovine Neospora cultures. Also provided are recombinant immunodominant Neospora antigens. The cultures and antigens are used to develop diagnostic assays for the detection of Neospora infections in cattle and other animals. Also provided are pharmaceutical compositions for the treatment and prevention of Neospora infections.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for treating structural heart disease in a subject, comprising administering an effective amount of an inhibitor of CaMKII to the subject, whereby the administration of the inhibitor treats the structural heart disease in the subject. Also provided are transgenic animal models for treating structural heart disease. Further provided is a means of screening for a compound that can treat structural heart disease.

Abstract: A low smoke, low toxicity fiber optic cable that provides an intermediate surface that facilitates bonding to optical connectors such as LC connectors, is provided. In a preferred embodiment, the inventive cable exhibits improved dimensional stability by minimizing or eliminating shrinkage stress on the optic fiber core.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling the position of a screen pointer for an electronic device having a display screen includes a light source for illuminating an imaging surface, thereby generating reflected images. The apparatus includes a motion transducer. A lens receives the reflected images and directs the reflected images onto the motion transducer. The motion transducer includes an electronic shutter for controlling the amount of time that light is collected for image frames. The motion transducer is configured to generate digital representations of the reflected images. The motion transducer is configured to generate movement data based on the digital representations of the reflected images. The movement data is indicative of relative motion between the imaging surface and the motion transducer. A controller coupled to the light source turns the light source on only during the time that light is being collected for an image frame.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling the position of a screen pointer for an electronic device having a display screen includes a light source for illuminating an imaging surface, thereby generating reflected images. The apparatus includes a motion transducer. A lens receives the reflected images and directs the reflected images onto the motion transducer. The motion transducer includes an electronic shutter for controlling the amount of time that light is collected for image frames. The motion transducer is configured to generate digital representations of the reflected images. The motion transducer is configured to generate movement data based on the digital representations of the reflected images. The movement data is indicative of relative motion between the imaging surface and the motion transducer. A controller coupled to the light source turns the light source on only during the time that light is being collected for an image frame.

Abstract: Echinacea dietary supplements are useful adjuvants for live anticoccidial vaccines. Feed supplementation with Echinacea preparations enhances the immune response to such vaccines. Echinacea purpurea in amounts of about 0.1% to 0.5% administered for about two weeks to day-old chicks has been found effective for providing significant weight gain compared to vaccination alone.

Abstract: A system and method for eliminating interconnect extrusions in vias that are formed during ionized metal plasma processing. By eliminating interconnect extrusions in vias, reliability failures and yield loss are decreased. The extrusions of interconnect metallization occur while wafers are subject to elevated temperatures that cause the internal stresses in the interconnect metallization to transit from a substantially tensile mode to a substantially compressive mode. By controlling the interconnect temperature to be below the temperature at which the interconnect transits from a tensile to a compressive mode, interconnect extrusions in vias are eliminated. The interconnect temperature is controlled by using an actively cooled pedestal in combination with a low temperature IMP deposition process. In addition, the IMP processing time may also be decreased to limit heating of the interconnect.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling the position of a screen pointer for an electronic device having a display screen includes a light source for illuminating an imaging surface, thereby generating reflected images. The apparatus includes a motion transducer. A lens receives the reflected images and directs the reflected images onto the motion transducer. The motion transducer includes an electronic shutter for controlling the amount of time that light is collected for image frames. The motion transducer is configured to generate digital representations of the reflected images. The motion transducer is configured to generate movement data based on the digital representations of the reflected images. The movement data is indicative of relative motion between the imaging surface and the motion transducer. A controller coupled to the light source turns the light source on only during the time that light is being collected for an image frame.

Abstract: A method and a system perform geolocation activities relating to a network address. A database of network addresses, and associated geographic locations, is maintained. A query, including a network address, is received against the database for a geographic location associated with the network address. Information, concerning the query received against the database, is logged. Geolocation activities relating to at least the network address are modified based on the logged information.

Abstract: A method and a system perform geolocation activities relating to a network address. A database of network addresses, and associated geographic locations, is maintained. A query, including a network address, is received against the database for a geographic location associated with the network address. Information, concerning the query received against the database, is logged. Geolocation activities relating to at least the network address are modified based on the logged information.

Abstract: A method and a system map a geographic location to a network address. At least one automated process is performed to identify a geographic location for the network address. A determination is made whether the automated process provided satisfactory geographic location information for the network address. If the automated process did not provided satisfactory geographic location information for the network address, then the network address is forwarded for manual resolution.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a crank case ventilation system for an internal combustion engine that has a two-stage air charge boosting system. An air inlet system supplies the engine with air that may be pressurised by an upstream supercharger and a downstream turbocharger in series. A crank case evacuation system draws crank case gasses from a crank case and introduces said gasses into the air inlet system, through either a first conduit or a second conduit, depending on the setting of a pressure-regulated control valve. The first conduit is used to introduce said gasses upstream of the first boost stage when this stage is operational, and when the first boost stage is not operational, the second conduit is used to introduce said gasses downstream of the first boost stage and upstream of the second boost stage.

Abstract: An electronic instrument with a housing in the form of a rectangular body. The housing has a front panel with a display screen, and opposed side panels extending perpendicularly from the front panel to a rear panel. The housing defines a cavity adjacent to the rear panel and at least one of the side panels. The cavity includes a recessed panel portion having attached electronic connectors, so that cables connected to the connectors can flex to avoid protruding from the side panel to facilitate rack mounting, and may extend without protruding from the rear panel for bench usage. A circuit board to which the connectors and a microprocessor are connected may be oriented parallel to the rear panel, allowing a limited front-to-rear depth for the housing.

Abstract: A system and method for eliminating interconnect extrusions in vias that are formed during ionized metal plasma processing. By eliminating interconnect extrusions in vias, reliability failures and yield loss are decreased. The extrusions of interconnect metallization occur while wafers are subject to elevated temperatures that cause the internal stresses in the interconnect metallization to transit from a substantially tensile mode to a substantially compressive mode. By controlling the interconnect temperature to be below the temperature at which the interconnect transits from a tensile to a compressive mode, interconnect extrusions in vias are eliminated. The interconnect temperature is controlled by using an actively cooled pedestal in combination with a low temperature IMP deposition process. In addition, the IMP processing time may also be decreased to limit heating of the interconnect.

Abstract: A method and the system perform geolocation activities relating to a network address. A query, including a network address, is received from an external entity at a geolocation system. Responsive to receipt of the query, geolocation activities are initiated at the geolocation system to map the network address to a geographic location.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a multi-mesh gear system, such as an epicyclic gear system, in which (a) optimal performance is not load-specific and (b) the same profile modifications can be applied on both flanks of the common gear. This is accomplished through a novel combination of a constant system contact ratio and gearing having mesh stiffness variation reducing, or MSVR, modifications. An MSVR modification, such as Differential Crowning, will minimize the self-excited component of dynamic load for gear meshes across different operating loads, resulting in an optimized gearset. The specification of a substantially constant contact ratio for the multi-mesh gear system allows the same MSVR modification to be used on both tooth flanks of the common gear, reducing the cost and complexity of manufacture.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus operates to associate a geographic location associated with a network address. At least one data collection operation is performed to obtain information pertaining to a network address. The retrieved information is processed to identify a plurality of geographic locations potentially associated with the network address, and to attach a confidence factor to each of the plurality of geographic locations. An estimated geographic location is selected from the plurality of geographic locations as being a best estimate of a true geographic location of the network address, where the selection of the estimated geographic location is based upon a degree of confidence-factor weighted agreement within the plurality of geographic locations.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of enhancing an immune response in a subject, comprising administering an effective amount of LL-37. Moreover, the present invention provides a method of enhancing in a subject an immune response to a vaccine, comprising administering to the subject an effective amount of LL-37 with a vaccine. Further provided is a method of detecting a compound that decreases an immune response in a subject. A method of treating an autoimmune disease in a subject is thus provided. Also provided is a vaccine comprising an immunogen and LL-37.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for controlling the shutter open time in an opto-electronic device is presented. A frame of pixel intensity data is collected and the average pixel intensity value is across said frame is calculated and compared to a first threshold. If the average pixel intensity is outside a first intensity range defined by said first threshold, the shutter open time is adjusted in a first direction. Otherwise, the peak pixel intensity value across the frame is found and compared to a second threshold. If the peak pixel intensity value is outside a second intensity range defined by said second threshold, the shutter open time is adjusted in said first direction. If the peak pixel intensity value is not outside a second intensity range, the peak pixel intensity value is compared to a third threshold. If the peak pixel intensity value is outside a third intensity range defined by the third threshold, the shutter open time is adjusted in a second direction.