Abstract: A method of medical waste disposal comprising (a) positioning an open end of a container relative to a hood assembly such that the hood assembly substantially covers the open end of the container; (b) depositing medical waste in the container through a passage defined by the hood assembly until the container is at least partially full; (c) placing a lid over the open end of the container such that the open end is substantially closed; (d) disposing of the container; (e) sterilizing the hood assembly; and (f) repeating step (a).

Abstract: A medical waste disposal system comprising an outer enclosure defining an interior and an opening providing access into the interior of the outer enclosure. A disposable container is positioned and substantially enclosed within the interior of the outer enclosure. A hood assembly is positioned and supported at least partially within the outer enclosure above the open end of the disposable container so as to at least partially define a passage extending between the opening defined in the outer enclosure and an open end of the container. A lid is configured to be positioned over and substantially close the open end of the container while the container is enclosed within the interior of the enclosure.

Abstract: A passenger seat includes a frame, a bottom, a back, and a headrest, and incorporates a cylindrical motion support member. The support member includes a stationary member carried by the passenger seat, including a concave surface having a cylindrical curvature. A moveable member has a convex surface with a cylindrical curvature disposed in contact with the concave surface, and a support surface for supporting at least a part of a passenger's body The moveable member is selectively positionable along the concave surface. In another variation, the seat back and/or seat bottom is moveable in a conical motion.

Abstract: A locking apparatus for a moveable component of an aircraft seat. The locking apparatus includes a housing for being slidably received in a track, a first pair of opposed cams pivotally mounted in the housing, and a release member. The cams are moved between a lock position where the cams prevent the housing from sliding within the track and a release position. The release member is selectively moveable between a first position where the cams are maintained in the lock position and a second position where the cams are maintained in the release position.

Abstract: A frame assembly for vehicle passenger seat, including at least one leg unit, including a cantilevered transverse main beam carried by a fore and aft-extending seat leg for being mounted to the floor of the vehicle, a transversely extending front beam positioned forward of the seat leg, a backshell attached to and carried by the transverse main beam, a seat back carried on the backshell, and a seat bottom carried by a perimeter frame mounted on the backshell.

Abstract: A passenger seat for a vehicle, including a frame for being attached to a floor of the vehicle, a fixed backshell attached to the frame, and a seat back attached to the backshell. A seat bottom is attached to the backshell, and a headrest assembly attached to the backshell at a position above the seat back. The headrest assembly includes left and right spaced-apart side wings, each of the side wings comprising a rigid support and a wedge-shaped cushion attached to the rigid support by a pivot. The left and right cushions are each translatable in a direction parallel to the rigid support to selectively increase or decrease the effective width of the headrest assembly by increasing or decreasing the distance between the left and right side wings. The left and right cushions are each mounted for rotation about the pivot for selectively changing the angle of a forward face of the cushion relative to the rigid support to thereby permit selection by a seat occupant of a desired cushion position.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are described for providing a rule file. More particularly, a design rule document is converted to a table file of design rules and associated design rule values, where design rules follow a naming convention to maintain uniqueness among them. A parameterized design rule check (PDRC) file is obtained. Such a PDRC file calls out design rule names instead of design rule values. A computer program is used to exchange design rule values associated with design rule names in the table file for the design rule names called out in the PDRC file to provide a design rule check (DRC) file. This method and apparatus also apply to any technology file containing parameterized rules.

Abstract: A passenger seat for a vehicle includes a seat back; and a seat bottom. The seat bottom is selectively moveable between a first, generally flat position for supporting a passenger in an upright seating position with the passenger's hips located at a first height above the floor, and a second, raised position for supporting a passenger in a semi-standing position wherein the passenger's hips are positioned at a second height above the floor substantially greater than the first height.

Abstract: Non-peptide GnRH agents capable of inhibiting the effect of gonadotropin-releasing hormone are described. Such compounds and their pharmaceutically acceptable salts, multimers, prodrugs, and active metabolites are suitable for treating mammalian reproductive disorders and steroid hormone-dependent tumors as well as for regulating fertility, where suppression of gonadotropin release is indicated. Methods for synthesizing the compounds and intermediates useful in their preparation are also described.

Abstract: A passenger seat includes a frame, a bottom, a back, and a headrest, and incorporates a cylindrical motion support member. The support member includes a stationary member carried by the passenger seat, including a concave surface having a cylindrical curvature. A moveable member has a convex surface with a cylindrical curvature disposed in contact with the concave surface, and a support surface for supporting at least a part of a passenger's body The moveable member is selectively positionable along the concave surface. In another variation, the seat back and/or seat bottom is moveable in a conical motion.

Abstract: A tilting seat bottom assembly for a passenger seat includes: a seat pan assembly for supporting a passenger and a pivot assembly for being attached to the seat frame. The seat pan assembly is mounted for pivotal motion about at least two axes relative to the seat frame, and can be locked in a selected orientation by the passenger.

Abstract: An integral molten metal casting device comprising: a crossfeeder having an interior surface defining a partial cylinder of a first diameter; a generally cylindrical thimble having an interior surface of a second smaller diameter; and back-up insulation; all formed as a single monolithic structure with the crossfeeder interior surface and the thimble interior surface comprising a continuous, joint free and uninterrupted cylinder insert surface of a thin layer or multiple layers of fiber reinforced low thermal expansion coefficient, high wear resistant material. According to certain preferred embodiments, the thin layer or layers comprise fused silica, alumina or zirconia, and mixtures of these materials with other similar materials such as silicon carbide. Monolithic integrally formed molten metal handling systems of similar structure are also described.

Abstract: A passenger seat for a vehicle includes a seat back; and a seat bottom, which may be mounted to a fixed backshell. The seat bottom is selectively configurable such that at least a portion of one side thereof is higher than at least a portion of the opposite side thereof, relative to a floor of said vehicle, so as to support a passenger who is seated on said seat bottom in a rotated position wherein one of said passenger's hips is higher than the other hip relative to said floor.

Abstract: A track fastener assembly for securing a seat or cargo apparatus to a floor track of a vehicle. The assembly includes a bottom rail with forward and aft ends. Front and rear movable slides carrying locking studs are carried by the bottom rail. A locking rod having a helical groove formed in its outer surface is operatively connected to the bottom rail and the slides. Rotation of the locking rod causes the slides to move axially from an installation position to a locking position. As the slides move to the locking position, they are deflected upwards along with the attached locking studs, clamping the track fastener assembly to the track.

Abstract: A track fastener assembly for securing a seat or cargo apparatus to a floor track of a vehicle. The assembly includes a base with a longitudinal slot formed therein, and a ramp disposed in its upper surface near the forward end of the slot. A movable slide carrying locking studs runs in the longitudinal slot. A locking rod having a helical groove formed in its outer surface is operatively connected to the base and the slide. Rotation of the locking rod causes the slide to move axially along the longitudinal slot from an installation position near the aft end of the base to a locking position near the forward end of the base. As the slide moves to the locking position, the slide engages the ramp in the base, thereby deflecting the slide with the attached locking studs upwards and clamping the track fastener assembly to the track.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for bonding optical fibers are disclosed. A fiber bonding device feeds an optical fiber through a supportive sheath having a ceramic tip at its end. The optical fiber extends slightly beyond the ceramic tip and is aligned with the focal point of a laser, which causes the end of the optical fiber to melt, forming a molten region. The ceramic tip then extends partially into a substrate surface, causing the molten region of the optical fiber to become bonded to the substrate. The process is controlled by computer logic, such that it is an automated, precision process for bonding optical fibers.

Abstract: Process for making micro-sized chitosan in powder form comprising spray drying an aqueous suspension of nano-sized chitosan. There is also provided micro-sized chitosan powder obtainable according to that process and uses thereof.

Abstract: The present invention is a system or tool that migrates a legacy application that has data access elements, user interface elements, and control logic. The system parses source code of a legacy application to identify data access components of the application, where the data access components comprise queries, tables, and columns. The system further parses the source code of the legacy application to identify user interface components of the application, where the user interface components comprise buttons, text boxes, and layout information describing their appearance and layout in the legacy application. The system forms an abstract representation of the data access and user interface components, and creates a new application shell having data access components and user interface components based on their abstract representation, where the new application shell is in a language different than the legacy application.

Abstract: A passenger seat with privacy shell, including a seat base and seat bottom with a seat back carried by the seat base. A recline unit is provided for controlling movement of the seat back and locking the seat back in a desired recline position. An occupant-activated seat back recline control is provided for permitting movement of the seat back a desired position between an upright position and a recline position. A privacy shell is positioned on opposing lateral sides of the seat back and mounted for movement between a retracted position wherein the shell permits unimpeded lateral vision by the passenger seated in the seat, and a deployed position wherein the shell impedes lateral observation of the passenger seated in the seat, thereby providing privacy when desired by the passenger.