Abstract: A process is described for forming a can from extremely thin side wall material. The process includes the steps of reverse forming a portion of the can, and during the reverse forming process including a tapered side wall portion. Battery cans formed during the process are also described.

Abstract: A system and method for purchasing pre-paid account cards and replenishing pre-paid accounts for goods and services. The system includes a data source containing data descriptive of a prepaid account. The data source is accessible by a transaction system for responding to user service transactions and may be accessible by a fulfillment service provider for providing the goods or services based upon the prepaid account data. The system is accessed through a variety of service end points comprising point of sale (POS) systems.

Abstract: Porous microcomposites have been prepared from perfluorinated ion-exchange polymer and metal oxides such as silica using the sol-gel process. Such microcomposites possess high surface area and exhibit extremely high catalytic activity.

Abstract: Porous microcomposites have been prepared from perfluorinated ion-exchange polymer and metal oxides such as silica using the sol-gel process. Such microcomposites possess high surface area and exhibit extremely high catalytic activity.

Abstract: Porous microcomposites have been prepared from perfluorinated ion-exchange polymer and metal oxides such as silica using the sol-gel process. Such microcomposites possess high surface area and exhibit extremely high catalytic activity.

Abstract: Porous microcomposites have been prepared from perfluorinated ion-exchange polymer and metal oxides such as silica using the sol-gel process. Such microcomposites possess high surface area and exhibit extremely high catalytic activity.

Abstract: In the method of generating an interleaved address, each 2{circumflex over ( )}i mod (p−1) value for i=0 to x−1 is stored. Here, p is a prime number dependent on a block size K of a data block being processed and x is greater than one. An inter-row sequence number is multiplied with a column index number to obtain a binary product. Both the inter-row sequence number and the column index number are for the block size K and the prime number p. Then, each binary component of the binary product is multiplied with a respective one of the stored 2{circumflex over ( )}i mod (p−1) values to obtain a plurality of intermediate mod value. An intra-row permutation address is generated based on the plurality of intermediate mod values, and an interleaved address is generated based on the intra-row permutation address.

Abstract: Protein polymers coated with a metal are provided. New methods are described for the preparation of tubulin-based microtubules such that they may be coated, by an electroless plating method, with gold particles of <20 nm in diameter without prior reaction with noble metal catalysts. The gold particle deposition can occur in suspension or on microtubules lying on a surface. Gold enhancement of the gold-particle coating and annealing results in ohmic conductance that is within a factor of ten of the resistivity of bulk gold. These methods are likely to be applicable to other protein polymers.

Abstract: This invention relates to extended dosing regimens for the selective estrogen receptor modulator bazedoxefine (1-[4-(2-azepan-1-yl-ethoxy)-benzyl]-2-(4-hydroxy-phenyl)-3-methyl-1 H-indol-5-ol).

Abstract: A data storage device includes a disc stack, a rotary actuator having an arm coupled to a transducer head, and support structure for receiving the arm with a reduced incidence of sliding contact therewith. The arm is separated from the support means, and then moved so that the head is above a disc surface for storing data. After the disc stack reaches its nominal rotation speed, the head is loaded so that it can transfer data. During periods of non-activity, the head is raised (unloaded) again and the arm is placed on the support means. This reduces a risk of damage in the presence of shocks while minimizing particle generation induced by friction.

Abstract: The invention relates to an optical assembly for opto-electronic packages comprising an optical fibre secured on the underside of an elongated support member in optical alignment with an opto-electronic device, wherein said support member is affixed to an aligning member, which in turn is affixed, e.g., by laser welding, to a welding platform. In a preferred embodiment, the elongated support member is a planar parallelepiped. In a further preferred embodiment, the elongated support member is a parallelepiped with an axially extended slot, in which the optical fibre is secured with its longitudinal axis substantially parallel to the axially extended slot.

Abstract: A moulded plastics clamp (14) for attaching strap (16) of a lumbar support to an upright of a seat for a vehicle comprises two portions (20, 22) reinforced by ribs (52-53) and integrally joined by flexible portion (24). To engage clamp (14), portion (24) is flexed so that ridged concave sections (26, 28) enclose and contactthe upright, projection (60) being received in a hole therein. During engagement, surfaces (34, 36) on extension sections (30, 32) are guided into proximity, if not contact, by engagement of complementary tapering webs (42) and recesses (44) so that apertures (38, 40) align to receive a bolt to tighten clamp (14). Extension section (30) includes flanges (50) between which section (32) locates to prevent relative lateral movement between sections (30, 32).

Abstract: An integral self-leveling gas shock strut with dual spring rates as a structural load support between a vehicle chassis and wheel. When the vehicle is driving at an inclined longitudinal pitch a gravity sensitive device within the strut governs a pilot valve which opens to allow a pressure input signal from strut piston compression deflection to close a high flow volume slave valve located between primary and secondary volumetric chambers, trapping gases within the primary chamber to provide a hard spring rate for the strut mounted on the vehicle's downhill side. Contrarily, a similar valve sequence in a companion strut mounted on the vehicle's uphill side opens gas flow communication to combine its primary and secondary chamber volumes, thus providing a soft spring rate and consequent leveling effect of the vehicle using only the pumping action of the strut pistons as a power source, requiring neither external power nor inputs.

Abstract: The present invention is to a method of adapting optical rare-earth-doped waveguide (10) having a plurality of transverse propagation modes, such that in use, signal gains of non-fundamental modes of the waveguide are attenuated relative to a signal gain of a fundamental mode of the waveguide. The waveguide (10) has a light-guiding region (45) defined by a refractive index-modifying dopant, such as Ge, which has a thermal diffusion coefficient at temperature T in the waveguide greater than a thermal diffusion coefficient of the rare-earth dopant at temperature T. The method comprises heating the waveguide (10) at the temperature T such that a concentration profile of the refractive index-modifying dopant becomes broader than a concentration profile of the rare-earth dopant.

Abstract: Nucleic acid sequence capable of regulating transcription during embryogenesis in plants is provided. This sequence may be used in transgenic plants to promote high levels of expression of foreign and endogenous genes in developing seeds to affect seed lipid metabolism, protein or carbohydrate composition and accumulation, or seed development. In addition, these sequences may be useful for the production of modified seed containing novel recombinant proteins which have pharmaceutical, industrial or nutritional value, or novel products like plastics.

Abstract: A genomic DNA sequence encoding a condensing enzyme involved in very long chain fatty acid production in plants is provided. Applications for the isolated nucleic acid sequence to include the expression of the condensing enzyme of the present invention in seeds, which would allow the production of crop plants, which are capable of synthesizing hydroxylated very long chain fatty acids in seed oil for industrial applications.

Abstract: The present invention protects images via a server-based policy that results in the selective distribution of one of multiple versions of an original image. The policy includes a set of one or more rules that each include given criteria. When a request for a web page is received, a given rule in the set is evaluated against client-specific data (e.g., such as client IP address, the identity of the referring page, or the like) obtained from the client request. If a condition of the rule is satisfied against the client-specific data, a given restriction is imposed on the image distribution.

Abstract: A Log Map processor that processes information in accordance with the Log MAP algorithm using an N-state Radix-K trellis where K is an integer equal to 4 or greater and N is an integer equal to 2 or greater. The Log Map processor comprises branch and path metric calculators designed with LogSum operators. The LogSum operators used and Add-Compare-Select architecture that is based on an approximation of the Jacobian definition of the LogSum operation. The Log Map processor is thus able to process relatively more information per unit time.

Abstract: This invention relates to the field of nanotechnology. Specifically the invention describes a method for cutting a multiplicity of nano-structures to uniform dimensions of length, length and width, or area, or to a specific distribution of lengths or area using various cutting techniques.

Abstract: A method and computer program operative in an e-mail server for reducing unsolicited e-mail in an enterprise computing environment. According to the invention, e-mail is accepted for delivery to e-mail clients only if it is from an address that has been verified by an e-mail server and/or approved by a recipient. When an e-mail from a particular address is received at the e-mail server for the first time, the server automatically issues an e-mail to the address to request that the sender verify the authenticity of the original message. If a return acknowledgement is received within a given time period, the e-mail is deemed to be authentic and delivered to its intended recipient within the enterprise. Mail messages from previously-verified addresses need not be rechecked.